Inside Russia’s ‘military Disneyland,’ a Manhattan-sized theme park that puts the country’s deadly weaponry on display
September 18, 20240
Located about 40 miles west of Moscow in Kubinka, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a soft opening for the theme park in 2015, shortly after the Kremlin’s illegal annexation of Crimea.
Putin described the park as “an important element in our system of military-patriotic work with young people,” according to a Guardian report. In the years since, his government has pushed militarism deeper into society, in part through programs that instruct children in rifle assembly or teach teenagers to fly drones.
A vast multipurpose venue
Built to commemorate 75 years since the end of World War II in 2020, the Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces drew criticism for blending the country’s military history with its most widespread religion.
The cathedral was further embroiled in controversy after photos showed an unfinished mosaic on a wall depicting Putin and other key Russian political figures, including then-Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Joseph Stalin. The mosaic was later canceled.
Стены главного храма вооруженных сил России, строительство которого заканчивается в подмосковном парке «Патриот», украсят мозаикой с изображениями Владимира Путина, Сергея Шойгу и Иосифа Сталина. Фото: МБХ медиаhttps://t.co/O5AlRk3Pblpic.twitter.com/TUxHW8LxXO
The captured vehicles were peppered with bulletholes and damage from the battlefield, though it isn’t clear if the assets are authentic or Russian-made replicas.
Ukraine has its own open-air exhibition of destroyed Russian military equipment in Kyiv, which opened on the country’s Independence Day in 2022.
Showcasing Russian military power
One of the exhibition halls featured displays of Russian firearms, which visitors were able to observe and handle.
Massive shooting range
Though the main draw of Patriot Park is its displays of deadly war memorabilia, it still has attractions that appeal to military enthusiasts of all ages.
No theme park is complete without anthropomorphic animal mascots, and Patriot Park is no exception. Guests are seen taking photos with characters depicting a raccoon and a leopard in camouflage costumes.
Family-friendly fun
But they’re not discouraged from playing on the real thing, too.