ROLLERCOASTERS are out but rocket launchers are in at Vladimir Putin’s own military version of Disneyland.
Patriot Park is said to be Russia‘s family-friendly theme park and showground, which displays military hardware and also happens to attract international arms dealers.
GettyVlad has its own version of Disneyland in Russia, where children can play with weapons instead of riding rollercoasters[/caption]
GettyVisitors can climb and explore the numerous war tanks on display[/caption]
AFPThe theme park was opened by Putin in 2015, who also gave a go at playing with the war toys[/caption]
Army rations for lunch, splurging with some Putin souvenirs, and instead of riding rollercoasters, children can have fun with grenade launchers and climb over heavy weapons.
All this for a bargain of £3.50 (400 rubles) on weekdays or £7 (500 rubles) – both costing you less than a day ticket at Thorpe Park.
The park spans over 4,000 hectares, with military vehicles and intercontinental ballistic missiles taking up the majority of the space.
There are over 268 Soviet-era aircraft on exhibit, including helicopters, and an armoured vehicle area with around 350 tanks from several countries.
Some of these may be experienced virtually in the park’s military training simulators.
Warmongers can enjoy the thrills of warfare at the Military Tactical Games Centre.
Children and adults can take part in some entertaining military-grade exercises before engaging in an urban warfare scenario with airsoft guns and reproductions of famous buildings.
Meanwhile, visitors to the shooting range may channel their inner soldier using a variety of weaponry.
When hunger hits, guests can go to the park’s canteen and have some military rations for lunch.
And for the ultimate keepsake, visit one of the numerous gift stores where you can get Joseph Stalin fridge magnets, Vladimir Putin iPhone covers, army-branded water, and military T-shirts with the words “Victory!” on the front.
This vast military theme park at Kubinka, an hour’s drive from Moscow, was officially opened by Putin in 2015 – in a period of increased patriotism and military rhetoric following Russia‘s annexation of Crimea in the previous year.
At the inauguration, Vlad said Patriot Park would be “an important element in our system of military-patriotic work with young people.”
He went on to boast about the addition of 40 new intercontinental missiles to Russia’s nuclear arsenal and how they were “capable of overcoming even the most technically advanced missile defence systems”.
Almost a decade later and nearly two years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the park is still up and running six days a week from 10am.
Meanwhile, the world’s most chilling theme park has kids firing AK-47s at US flags and crawling through barbed wire.
The City of Games for Revolutionary Children in Iran also sees youngsters hunt for bullets and knock down puzzles of Israeli flags.
Based in Kooh Sangi Park in the northeastern city of Mashdad, the attraction is free of charge for children aged between eight and 13 years old.
First opened in 2016, children would be taught the messages of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, wearing military uniforms and accompanied by someone playing the role of their commander.
Activities on offer for the youngsters would include simulations of fighting enemies – such as Iraqi soldiers, ISIS terrorists and the Saudi royal family – and launching plastic missiles at US and Israeli flags.
According to Hamid Sadeghi, director of the Child and the Future Cultural Centre which inaugurated the City of Games park, children had 12 activity stations to enjoy.
As reported by Memri, he told Iranian news agency Raja News: “At the City of Games, we are trying to convey to the children messages about fighting, the Holy Defense and current global issues.”
These messages were split across three categories – games, amusements, and group activities.
Led by cultural expert guides, the kids would be brought into the stations of Ghadir, the Lovers of Ahl Al-Bayt, the Rule of the Jurisprudent and the Revolution.
Each group of children is then assigned a commander who “must be obeyed”.
They are then suited up before setting out for the battle fronts.
As they near the end of their training, the children learn that they need wisdom and intelligence to attain victory.
But in order to teach them this, they are blindfolded.
They must then throw a ball at an Israeli flag puzzle and knock it down, before changing it to that of Iranian colours.
Once the course is completed, which should take 30-45 minutes, children are “handed” back to their families.
GettyPatriot Park is located at Kubinka, an hour’s drive from Moscow[/caption]
AFPThe park spans over 4,000 hectares, showcasing hundreds of Russian war weapons[/caption]
A boy climbs on top of a Russian tank on display at Patriot ParkGetty
AFPGuests can take part in military-grade exercises and play with airsoft guns[/caption]
AFPNumerous guns are also on display[/caption]
EPAThe park claims to showcase Russia’s patriotism in a family-friendly environment[/caption]
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