A meeting of future defenders of the Fatherland was held at the city's Center for Military-Patriotic Education.

      At the Avtozavodsky branch of the Maksim Nastin Center for Military-Patriotic Education, the traditional annual meeting took place between its trainees and cadets from military educational institutions who previously trained at the city center and at the "I Want to Become a Paratrooper" camp. This was reported by the Department of Social Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod Administration.

      The career-guidance event was attended by the director of the city department, Galina Gurenko; the head of the Maksim Nastin Center for Military-Patriotic Education, Alexander Naydenov; staff and trainees of the Avtozavodsky, Nizhny Novgorod and Prioksky branches of the center; and their parents. The meeting’s guests were cadets from the Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy; the Saratov Military Institute of the National Guard of the Russian Federation, Order of Zhukov and the Red Banner; the Military Academy of Air and Space Defense named after Marshal of the Soviet Union G.K. Zhukov; and the Military Academy of Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense named after Marshal of the Soviet Union S.K. Timoshenko.

      "Today these young people are cadets at military universities, but all of them passed through the 'I Want to Become a Paratrooper' military-patriotic camp and trained at the city Center for Military-Patriotic Education. That was the beginning for them, the first step toward realizing their dream — to enter military educational institutions and in the future become true officers. The main thing taught at the center and the camp is to be a patriot of your Motherland," Galina Gurenko noted.

      She also emphasized that thanks to the city head Yury Shalabaev, military-patriotic initiatives are actively supported in Nizhny Novgorod today; many events are being implemented where the center’s trainees have the opportunity to demonstrate themselves, including at the international level. "It is precisely in Nizhny Novgorod that, at the expense of the city budget, scholarships are awarded to gifted children not only in the categories 'education,' 'sports,' and 'culture,' but also in the category 'military-patriotic education.' In this respect our city is so far the only one in the country where such an important initiative has been implemented," added Galina Gurenko.

      During the event the young cadets spoke about their admission to military universities, their studies and life as cadets, showed video materials about the educational institutions, recalled their mentors and communicated with their younger comrades — the center’s trainees. In response to numerous questions, each of them said that the skills gained in classes at the center and in the camp were very useful both for passing entrance exams and for their actual studies.

      "We, the teachers and instructors, are proud that the abilities of our trainees are highly valued and that they enter military universities. Their knowledge, determination and skills attest to the high level of their training and upbringing. Now a worthy new generation is growing up among us, one that shows enormous potential. Looking at the cadets, the current trainees strive to become the same or even better! It is wonderful that our graduates, having already overcome many steps on the way to their dream, are convinced of the correctness of their choice and are ready to share their experience," said Alexander Naydenov.

      "In military schools, institutes and academies boys are made into real men, true patriots. It is precisely when you are outside your comfort zone that your character and strength reveal themselves, and you see which flaws you need to fight. Yes, it will be hard and difficult, you will fall, you will want to give up everything, but you must get up and keep going. By overcoming all hardships, you will understand that everything is possible. I see this in my son — how he becomes a completely different person: independent, determined, strong. I wish you success in gaining admission to the university you have chosen," encouraged Yulia, the mother of one of the center’s former trainees who is now a cadet.

      The event concluded with tea and friendly conversation with the guests and the center’s teachers. In an informal setting the guests were able to answer the trainees’ and their parents’ questions, largely strengthening the young people’s desire to dedicate their lives to military service and the defense of the Fatherland.

      More news about the event:

      - A meeting of future defenders of the Fatherland was held at the city Center for Military-Patriotic Education. The traditional annual meeting between its trainees and cadets from military educational institutions. 18:16 07.01.2026 Vremya N - Nizhny Novgorod

      - A meeting of future defenders of the Fatherland was held at the city Center for Military-Patriotic Education. At the Avtozavodsky branch of the Maksim Nastin Center for Military-Patriotic Education the traditional annual meeting took place between its trainees and cadets from military educational institutions. 14:19 07.01.2026 Administration of Nizhny Novgorod - Nizhny Novgorod

      Regional news on the topic:

      - Busargin called the creation of a military-patriotic center in "Rodnichok" an achievement. A military-patriotic center was organized on the territory of the "Rodnichok" camp, intended to prepare young men for service in the army. 10:17 07.01.2026 Komsomolskaya Pravda - Saratov

      - Trainees of the "VOIN" Center became guardsmen. Twelve cadets of the Khabarovsk branch of the "VOIN" Center who achieved high results in mastering the training program and distinguished themselves received the distinction rank "Cadet-Guardsman." 09:36 06.01.2026 Pacific Star - Khabarovsk