"This festival brings together those who honor the feats of their ancestors and take pride in the heroism of their contemporaries": why the guys participate in "Zarnitsa"

      The winning teams of the republican round will represent Tatarstan at the next stage.

      "We had a cohesive team – we understood each other without words."

      The results of the republican stage of the All-Russian military-patriotic game "Zarnitsa 2.0" have been summarized. Over three days, the participants competed in various competencies: tactical medicine, firearms training, military relay, and tactical games. Additionally, there were individual challenges depending on each team member's specialization, such as separate competitions for team commanders and UAV operators. "There were also different competencies in accounting and military specialties. For example, war correspondent, sapper, and commander. In each of these competencies, our team from the Laishevsky district, 'Piranha,' took prize places. The sapper had to lay a safe path and avoid mines. Our sapper completed the task in a minute. The war correspondent had to shoot a video about their team and the final stage. The videos were then evaluated by the jury," said the head of the "Movement of the First" branch in the Laishevsky district of RT, Ilmira Ayukayeva.

      The "Piranha" team from the Laishevsky district of Tatarstan took first place in the special category among college and technical school students. Soon they will go to represent Tatarstan at the next stage of the All-Russian game "Zarnitsa 2.0."

      "We are students of the Laishevsky Technical and Economic College. Personally, I am very interested in tactical games and similar events. I previously studied in a cadet class. I was chosen as the commander because I am organized and knowledgeable, as a commander must have a broad knowledge base. We have participated in 'Zarnitsa' more than once. This time we already had a cohesive, prepared team. We even understood each other without words, communicating with gestures. We were very pleased that the President of Tatarstan came to support us – it is very inspiring. At the next stage, we are aiming only for victory," said the commander of the "Piranha" team, Zaravshon Fozilov.

      Welcoming the participants of the republican stage, the President of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, emphasized that the Kazan Tank School was not chosen by chance as the venue for the games – it has long been a symbol of military valor and glorious traditions passed down from generation to generation.

      "'Zarnitsa' has allowed participants to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of military everyday life for many years, to study the basics of military affairs, and to learn about the feats of Soviet and Russian soldiers and officers. Now, as our country faces new threats, this event takes on new significance. 'Zarnitsa' instills leadership qualities, a sense of patriotism, and the ability to take responsibility in the younger generation. Nowadays, it is not just a competition, but a large-scale military-patriotic festival that unites everyone who honors the feats of their ancestors and takes pride in the heroism of contemporaries participating in the SVO," said Rustam Minnikhanov.

      A total of 114,000 young people participated in the republican stage of "Zarnitsa." The teams were divided into four categories: junior, middle, senior, and special. In the junior category, children aged 7 to 10 participated, in the middle – ages 11 to 13, in the senior – teenagers aged 14 to 17, and in the special category, participants over 18.

      "This is not the ceiling, but just a stage."

      The team from the Laishevsky district is not the only Tatarstan team that will represent the republic at the next stage of the competition. Nizhnekamsk won in two age categories – senior and middle. Two teams: "KOBR" and "Wolves-NK" showed high results in both team and individual competencies.

      "Both teams took first places in their categories. They are both made up of students from the Tatarstan Cadet Corps of the Volga Federal District named after Hero of the Soviet Union Gani Safiullin. These are our local stars; no event in Nizhnekamsk takes place without our cadets. The senior team 'KOBR' participated in 'Zarnitsa' last year. They also advanced to the all-Russian stage and finished ninth there, which is a very good result. They enjoyed it so much that when they returned from the competition last year, they even made a film about it," said the head of the "Movement of the First" branch in the Nizhnekamsk district of RT, Roza Fairoshina.

      It is worth noting that many teams were eliminated at the zonal competition stage, so only the best of the best participated in the regional stage. Each team has its secrets of success – for some, it is cohesion and discipline, for others, enthusiasm and a desire to win.

      "We took third place in the middle category. Our team, 'Patriots of KSHI,' consists of students from a cadet boarding school. They are very friendly, responsible guys with an active life position. For them, the word 'patriotism' is not an empty phrase. They respect their elders very much; for them, the word of a teacher is law. At this 'Zarnitsa,' they tested their abilities, felt the ground, and are already preparing to participate in competitions next year. Third place for them is not the ceiling, but just a stage," said the head of the "Movement of the First" branch in the Bugulma district of RT, Ekaterina Ratanova.

      Each participant has their reasons for participating and winning in "Zarnitsa." Many of this year's participants also competed last year. They admit that they enjoy the atmosphere of the competition and say that they take pleasure in the sense of unity with their team.

      "This team has participated in Zarnitsa for the second year. They are members of the military-patriotic club 'Kvazar.' It was important for them to show themselves and stand up for the honor of their district. Many of them found themselves in the competencies," said the head of the "Movement of the First" branch in the Yelabuga district of RT, Elena Pavlova.

      "No one forces them; they just enjoy it."

      Not all participants were experienced, but even those who participated in the competition for the first time will remember it for a long time. Newcomers admit they enjoyed the team games and the opportunity to showcase themselves in individual competencies.

      "The guys are participating for the first year. However, they train constantly. They have a very good teacher who helps them with drill training and medicine. This year they only took third place, but they plan to rise higher next year," said the head of the "Movement of the First" branch in the Kukmor district of RT, Guzel Shakirova.

      Among the participants are those for whom "Zarnitsa" is not just a game but preparation for something greater. For the team from the Chistopol school "Height Lyceum 1," "Zarnitsa" is another step towards their goal. Many team members want to connect their lives with serving the Motherland in the future.

      "This is a good, strong team. If you look at them from the side, you can see how their eyes shine, how much they enjoy it. They even filmed videos at each stage to review later and analyze mistakes. They take this matter very seriously," said the head of the "Movement of the First" branch in the Chistopol district of RT, Guzel Gataullina.

      Last year, the initiative to open a new category for adult college and technical school students was warmly welcomed. Thus, the team from the pedagogical college in the Arsky district of RT began to compete immediately after this category was introduced and returned to the competition this year.

      "No one forces them; they just enjoy it. Last year, as a reward for their prize-winning place, they were sent on an excursion to the hero city of Volgograd. This also motivated them," said the head of the "Movement of the First" branch in the Arsky district of RT, Lia Ilina.

      Thus, three teams – "Wolves-NK," "KOBR," and "Piranha" – will represent Tatarstan at the district stage of the All-Russian game "Zarnitsa 2.0."

      Photos provided by participants of the military-patriotic game "Zarnitsa 2.0."