Russia's Military Disneyland: What is Patriot Park Really About?

The Patriot military theme park in the Russian town of Kubinka opened its doors for Russian and foreign visitors on June, 16, hosting the Army-2015 international military-technical expo.

The park, dubbed Russia's "Military Disneyland," which covers more than 4,000 hectares will provide its visitors with a unique opportunity to "test" Russia's heavy weapons, such as the T-90 tank, or the famous Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter. Although only military training simulators are on offer, they still give the full experience of carrying out a special mission to their intrepid pilots and drivers, both young and old alike. Visitors will also be able to shoot Kalashnikov rifles and take part in extreme sports.

According to Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Patriot Park is a "universal platform," being at the same time an amusement park, a conference and exhibition site. Its goal is to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors all the year round. The military theme park initiative was kicked off just 166 days ago.

"Young people will not only be able to visit exhibits, but also drive and fly on military equipment, shoot military weapons and do parachute jumps," Russia's Defense Minister stated last July.

Much of the work has now been completed, but there is still much that remains, Sergei Shoigu said, adding that the final phase of the construction is expected to be completed by 2017.

Patriot Park is meant to become "an important element in [Russia's] system of military-patriotic work with youths," President Vladimir Putin emphasized. Indeed, besides a number of military training simulators, the park, when functioning at full capacity, will also include reconstructions of important historic battles of the Patriotic War of 1812, the First World War and the Second World War. Presenting various epochs, the exposition will present the country's historical and cultural heritage to its visitors. The park will also host the unique museum of automobiles and armored vehicles, detailing the history of Russia's defense industry.

However, the initiative has stirred controversy among Western media sources. Those who have long been spreading news about omnipresent Russia's "little green men" and illusory submarines prowling EU waters have grasped the opportunity to once again accuse Moscow of purported "warmongering."

Western social media users have also commented on the Patriot Park initiative:

Remarkably, Western journalists have not missed a chance to make mountains out of molehills, focusing attention on the fact that fridge magnets with Joseph Stalin and Lavrentiy Beria were on sale in the park sold among other items depicting Russian and Soviet political figures.

While criticizing Russia for its imaginary "militarism," Western media sources usually turn a blind eye to NATO's global expansion and remain silent on US interventionism.