"Keepers of History" and Yunarmiya members from Yugra gathered for a regional rally in Khanty-Mansiysk
Members of Yunarmiya (Young Army) and "Keepers of History" from across Yugra gathered in Khanty-Mansiysk to discuss remembrance, responsibility and patriotism among the new generation. The regional rally brought together more than 160 young people, mentors and local headquarters leaders. It opened at the National Centre RUSSIA in Yugra in the year marking the Yunarmiya movement's tenth anniversary. Over three days, the young participants will develop their skills in honour guard duties, war reporting, "Zarnitsa" and other activities connected with preserving historical memory.
"Thanks to you, work in local communities and municipalities is carried out effectively and productively. What tomorrow brings depends to a great extent on you. Those gathered here are already setting an example for their peers," said Alexander Ponomarenko, Deputy Director of Yugra's Department of Youth Policy, in his welcome address to the rally's participants.
Anastasia Lunyashina, a member of Yunarmiya's General Staff and Head of the Directorate for Youth Policy Implementation in the Tyumen Region, noted that over ten years the movement had grown from a handful of units into a large community spanning the country. She said it was particularly symbolic that Yunarmiya members and "Keepers of History", for whom preserving memory has become a shared endeavour, had gathered in Khanty-Mansiysk immediately after National Unity Day.
"Preserving memory and preserving history are what make us one people and a great country. And you, young people, are the ones keeping this history alive. Thank you so much for what you do," emphasised Anastasia Lunyashina.
On behalf of the movement's General Staff, she also presented letters of appreciation and awards to mentors and Yunarmiya members who had contributed to the movement's development and particularly distinguished themselves this year. The rally continued with activities in an interactive area organised by Yunarmiya's local headquarters in Khanty-Mansiysk. Members tried operating unmanned aerial vehicles, explored equipment used to prepare and run "Zarnitsa 2.0", took part in a practical workshop on making camouflage nets, and practised field-stripping and reassembling a Kalashnikov rifle and tying knots.
Varvara Shiling from Pyt-Yakh was among the young participants. She has been involved in patriotic activities for four and a half years, including more than two years in Yunarmiya. She takes part in contests and commemorative events, serves in the honour guard and commands a colour party and a squad.
"Perhaps the most important thing for me is pride in my Motherland and in our ancestors who fought in the Great Patriotic War, Afghanistan and Chechnya, and in those who are now in the special military operation zone. We cannot help them directly yet, but we can preserve their memory," said Varvara.
In the evening, the young participants attended an educational lecture titled "A New Patriotic Consciousness among Young People". It was delivered by Vasily Pasechnik, an ambassador for the Presidential Platform "Russia — Land of Opportunity", a youth policy expert, a mentor to young people in Donbass and Novorossiya, and a mentor for the Movement of the First. He explained how patriotism is expressed through knowledge and responsibility today, and how young people can turn their convictions into practical actions and projects.
On the rally's second day, participants will join members of the special military operation for morning exercises, attend a presentation of joint projects by the Movement of the First and Yunarmiya, and take part in thematic tracks covering historical memory preservation, journalism for young people, volunteering, honour guard duties and "Zarnitsa 2.0".
The rally marks the tenth anniversary of the All-Russian Military-Patriotic Public Movement Yunarmiya. During that time, 18,203 people in Yugra have joined its ranks. The "Yunarmiya Valour" badge of distinction has been awarded to 340 members in the region.
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It welcomed more than 37,500 visitors in total.
The meeting, titled "Building Greater Eurasia", was part of the "Motherland Is Service" series and was held within the All-Russian project "What Does the Motherland Begin With?".
