On August 17, Russia, Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan competed in the first ever Tank Biathlon, held in Russia’s Western Military District just outside Moscow. The international superfinals crowned the event which started on August 14 with Russia’s different military districts competing against each other.
© RIA Novosti/Avrora Yelisaveta Bebeh, Rustam BuzanovOn August 17, Russia, Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan competed in the first ever Tank Biathlon, held in Russia’s Western Military District just outside Moscow. The international superfinals crowned the event which started on August 14 with Russia’s different military districts competing against each other.
![All Out for Victory – Harnessing Deadly Force in Russia’s Tank Biathlon All Out for Victory – Harnessing Deadly Force in Russia’s Tank Biathlon - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/18282/54/182825474_0:0:1280:720_600x0_80_0_1_4944dee8a18f6cf76cdde0a0da65f791.jpg)
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© RIA Novosti/Avrora Yelisaveta Bebeh, Rustam Buzanov
On August 17, Russia, Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan competed in the first ever Tank Biathlon, held in Russia’s Western Military District just outside Moscow. The international superfinals crowned the event which started on August 14 with Russia’s different military districts competing against each other.
© RIA Novosti . Valery Melnikov / Go to the mediabankEach lap was 6,100 meters long, included a scarp, ford, minefield and bridge. The tanks had to complete each lap without losing speed or overturning. They also had to fire their guns at targets from a distance approaching the maximum firing range.
![All Out for Victory – Harnessing Deadly Force in Russia’s Tank Biathlon All Out for Victory – Harnessing Deadly Force in Russia’s Tank Biathlon - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/18284/55/182845592_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_8fa0c32865e6560c6071da64511dff65.jpg)
Each lap was 6,100 meters long, included a scarp, ford, minefield and bridge. The tanks had to complete each lap without losing speed or overturning. They also had to fire their guns at targets from a distance approaching the maximum firing range.
© RIA Novosti . Valery Melnikov / Go to the mediabankThe Russian crew emerged victorious in the international superfinal, and was awarded a model of the legendary T-34 tank. The prizewinners from previous heats were also presented with Russian cars – Niva for first place, Lada for second and quadbikes to the team that came third.
![All Out for Victory – Harnessing Deadly Force in Russia’s Tank Biathlon All Out for Victory – Harnessing Deadly Force in Russia’s Tank Biathlon - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/18284/56/182845609_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_45a4df4baebf06c22fc00cdb72d597c2.jpg)
The Russian crew emerged victorious in the international superfinal, and was awarded a model of the legendary T-34 tank. The prizewinners from previous heats were also presented with Russian cars – Niva for first place, Lada for second and quadbikes to the team that came third.
© RIA Novosti . Valery Melnikov / Go to the mediabankCompeting tanks were given a makeover. In the international heat, Russia’s tank was red, Kazakhstan’s – blue, Belarus’ – yellow, and Armenia’s – red.
![All Out for Victory – Harnessing Deadly Force in Russia’s Tank Biathlon All Out for Victory – Harnessing Deadly Force in Russia’s Tank Biathlon - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/18284/56/182845623_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_1f5e517d0a6dddef3cb2aeb2f3ce9e90.jpg)
Competing tanks were given a makeover. In the international heat, Russia’s tank was red, Kazakhstan’s – blue, Belarus’ – yellow, and Armenia’s – red.
© RIA Novosti . Valery Melnikov / Go to the mediabankInternational crews were also awarded mini-statues of tanks, and were decorated with medals For Strengthening the Combat Community by Russia’s Russian Defense Ministry.
![All Out for Victory – Harnessing Deadly Force in Russia’s Tank Biathlon All Out for Victory – Harnessing Deadly Force in Russia’s Tank Biathlon - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/18284/56/182845637_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_db6385d94653b68f02c26ee2a5c8cec6.jpg)
International crews were also awarded mini-statues of tanks, and were decorated with medals For Strengthening the Combat Community by Russia’s Russian Defense Ministry.
© RIA Novosti . Valery Melnikov / Go to the mediabankA scene from what the event’s host called a “tank ballet” ahead of the international tank biathlon.
![All Out for Victory – Harnessing Deadly Force in Russia’s Tank Biathlon All Out for Victory – Harnessing Deadly Force in Russia’s Tank Biathlon - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/18284/56/182845653_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_fc5ecf5b4462d7214e48dad8e0ef2922.jpg)
A scene from what the event’s host called a “tank ballet” ahead of the international tank biathlon.
© RIA Novosti . Valery Melnikov / Go to the mediabankKazakhstan came second in the international tank biathlon, Belarus – third, and Armenia – fourth.
![All Out for Victory – Harnessing Deadly Force in Russia’s Tank Biathlon All Out for Victory – Harnessing Deadly Force in Russia’s Tank Biathlon - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/18284/56/182845668_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_19ffcd5172463f59c77351b2cca28cf7.jpg)
Kazakhstan came second in the international tank biathlon, Belarus – third, and Armenia – fourth.
© RIA Novosti . Valery Melnikov / Go to the mediabankDefense Minister Sergei Shoigu handing out awards to tank biathlon winners.
![All Out for Victory – Harnessing Deadly Force in Russia’s Tank Biathlon All Out for Victory – Harnessing Deadly Force in Russia’s Tank Biathlon - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/18284/56/182845682_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_7176a304168f5cefe67182f6ea00e282.jpg)
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu handing out awards to tank biathlon winners.