A Norwegian anti-tank weapon is on display in Murmansk children's centre
The kids that visit the so-called Centre for civic and patriotic education in Murmansk can take a closer look at Russian 'war trophies,' among them a used Norwegian-made M72 light anti-armour weapon and a Swedish Carl Gustaf 84 mm recoilless rifle.
Weapons that have been deployed by Ukrainian defence forces against Russian invaders are part of a new exhibition at the children and youth centre in Murmansk.
In addition to the used M72 LAW and the Swedish Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle, the exhibition includes a used Saab Bofors Dynamics NLAW, an AT2 scatterable anti-tank mine, a Claymore mine, as well as several more pieces of western-made weapons.
The exhibition also honours several local warriors that have participated in the war of aggression. Among them is Izmurzin Maksot, a sergeant in the Northern Fleet's 387th Special Purpose Intelligence Unit. Reportedly, Maksot had been on four special operation missions in Syria before he went to Ukraine, where he was killed in March 2023.
The so-called Centre for civic and patriotic education was established by regional Governor Andrei Chibis in 2023. It is located 25 km south of the City of Murmansk and is regularly visited by school classes.
The centre offers accommodation for visiting kids, as well as meals five times a day in the centre cantina. Three groups of 20 pupils can visit at a time, the centre announces on its website.
Speaker of the Murmansk regional Duma Sergei Dubovoi was present at the recent opening of the newest exhibition.
"I think that such a vivid presentation will contribute to a more solid assimilation of knowledge about one's native land and local heroes," he said in a comment posted on his social media page. A photo from the visit shows the parliament speaker in front of a picture of Josef Stalin, the tyrant who is believed to have killed up to 20 million of his own citizens.
According to Murmansk Governor Chibis, the children's centre was established with the aim of providing young people with information about the history, development and economy of the Kola Region.
"We are actively involved in military and patriotic education for young people in the Murmansk region," Chibis said during a visit last year and made it clear that the center will soon be expanded with more exhibitions.
The governor has won praise from Vladimir Medinsky, the presidential adviser and leader of the Russian Military-Historical Society.
"Such centres for civic and patriotic education perform several important functions that help to diversify the educational process," the ultraconservative official said during a visit.
"The format chosen by Governor Andrei Chibis for organising such a centre is, in my opinion, very good and should be replicated across the country," emphasised Medinsky.
