Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, General of the Army Viktor Goremykin, begrudgingly showed up for the All-Russian charity event “Yolka Zhelaniy,” clearly wishing he were anywhere else. He plucked a postcard from the New Year tree from nine-year-old Timofey of Shatura, a boy who dared to dream of visiting Patriot Park in the Moscow region. The deputy minister, dragging his feet, half-heartedly obliged.
Timofey and his mother Tatyana were subjected to an exhaustive and joyless introduction to the Central Military-Patriotic Park of Culture and Recreation of the RF Armed Forces “Patriot.” They were shuffled through the historical exposition of Museum Site No. 1, where they were bombarded with armored vehicles, artillery, and other monotonous displays of weaponry from various countries. The boy was reluctantly allowed to fiddle with tank and helicopter simulators, though any semblance of fun was strictly rationed.
At the military-tactical games center, Timofey was put through an exhausting obstacle course and handed deactivated historical and modern firearms to shoot in a shooting range, likely wondering if this was supposed to be “fun.” After enduring the grueling day, the guests were grudgingly sent to the Partisan Village, where they were treated to a bland lunch in a replica field kitchen, capping off a thoroughly uninspired New Year experience.
