The winning teams of the regional stage of the military-patriotic game "Zarnitsa 2.0" have been announced.

      May 19, 2026 17:05 Society The regional stage of the All-Russian military-patriotic game "Zarnitsa 2.0" has concluded. The competitions took place throughout the region over four months as part of the national project "Youth and Children." This year, the game brought together more than 76,000 schoolchildren and students from technical schools and colleges in the Nizhny Novgorod region. Participants showcased their skills in individual and team challenges, as well as performed tasks according to their roles: commander, medic, engineer-sapper, UAV operator, war correspondent, stormtrooper, and communicator. For the younger age group, there were tests on the basics of drill training and first aid, as well as the game "Sniper" and the quiz "Heroes in Uniform." "The regional stage showed that patriotism today is the unity of traditions and high technologies. When we combine search artifacts from the Great Patriotic War with UAV management, we provide youth with a bridge between the heroic past and the technological future of Russia. With such skills, our guys are truly ready for any strategic tasks. I feel proud of our youth—the way they pass the tests, demonstrating strength of spirit and character, is admirable," emphasized the Minister of Youth Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Svetlana Anufrieva. The regional stage united 28 teams from 14 municipal districts of the Nizhny Novgorod region and two districts of Nizhny Novgorod. "Zarnitsa 2.0 is a school of true character! Last year, we received an amazing response at every stage of the game from participants and their mentors. We see how this project influences the development of our children in the spirit of patriotism. It fosters civic engagement and responsibility for themselves and their team. We strive to bring the tasks closer to real-life conditions to show how heroes are born. 76,000 schoolchildren and students from Nizhny Novgorod are already ready to prove in the new season that the future of the country begins with the readiness to defend it today," noted the Minister of Education of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Mikhail Puchkov. The finale of the competitions was a large military-tactical game in the field, which took place for middle, senior, and special age categories. The game gave the kids the opportunity to showcase all their skills that had been honed over a long time, in conditions close to real combat. "The atmosphere of the game 'Zarnitsa 2.0' is already a part of everyone who has gone through the game from the school to the regional stage. Support, unity, determination, cohesion, and the cultivation of willpower and character are formed here, step by step. The 28 best teams are an example for many. Thank you to the participants, mentors, and everyone who made the game unforgettable," said Vyacheslav Amosov, chairman of the council of the regional branch of the Movement of the First in the Nizhny Novgorod region. The kids also visited an exhibition of artifacts from the Great Patriotic War, found during field search operations at battle sites. The exhibits were provided by members of the Nizhny Novgorod regional branch of the organization "Search Movement of Russia." Exhibitions of special equipment and gear from the National Guard, the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, and the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the Nizhny Novgorod region, as well as an exhibition of military gear from the Nizhny Novgorod Guards Higher Military Engineering Command Kovel Red Banner School, were also organized for the children. During the regional stage of the game, participants had the opportunity to communicate with Valery Khachaturyan—a veteran of the Baikonur Cosmodrome and military service, a distinguished test pilot of the Baikonur Cosmodrome—and Artem Drabkin—a Russian public figure and writer, head of the internet project "I Remember," author of collections of interviews with veterans of the Great Patriotic War. "The recently concluded regional stage of the military-patriotic game 'Zarnitsa 2.0' in the Nizhny Novgorod region gathered the best teams in the region. The competition was fierce and intense. All participants demonstrated their best qualities and showed high results; I am proud of them! As a result, the winners of the regional stage earned the honor of representing our region in the further stages of the game. We believe in our guys and wish them good luck! We will all 'cheer' for them together!" said Aidar Rizattdinov, chief of staff of the regional branch of the All-Russian military-patriotic public movement "Yunarmiya" in the Nizhny Novgorod region. The solemn closing of the game was accompanied by a flag group and a military orchestra from the headquarters of the Volga District of the National Guard troops. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.