The official update from the exhibition’s press service confirms a major milestone for the international exposition and forum known as Russia, held at VDNKh. Since its opening in November of the previous year, the event has welcomed eight million visitors, underscoring the broad appeal and growing interest in Russia’s achievements showcased at the site. The milestone signals sustained public engagement and the success of the forum in drawing people from across regions to explore culture, industry, and sports initiatives in one comprehensive venue.
Among the eight million visitors, the distinction of becoming the eight millionth guest fell to fourteen-year-old Vadim Leizer, a resident of Tyumen. Vadim was celebrated with a special certificate that grants him the chance to participate in a friendly international match featuring the Russian and Serbian national teams. The game is slated to take place at the VTB Arena in Moscow on March 21, offering Vadim and his family a memorable experience connected to the event’s broader celebration of sport and collaboration.
To mark the occasion, prominent figures from football—Alexey Smertin, who serves as the head of the sustainable development and social responsibility project office for the Russian Football Union (RFU) and a former captain of the national team, along with Pavel Pogrebnyak, a UEFA Cup and Super Cup champion—joined in congratulating the anniversary guest. Their participation highlighted the event’s role in linking cultural exhibitions with national-level sport and community leadership.
Expressing gratitude, Natalya Virtuozova, General Director of the Exhibition of Achievements “Russia,” commented on the significance of the moment. She noted that with improving weather, more families and visitors are keen to spend time outdoors and engage with the activities on offer. She also emphasized appreciation for the football legends and the RFU’s generosity in supplying tickets to a unique and eagerly anticipated match, reinforcing the forum’s collaborative spirit and long-standing relationships with sports figures.
The prize accompanying the certificate includes access for four people to watch the match from a VIP box, as well as travel arrangements to Moscow and a three-day stay in the capital for the Leizer family. The gesture aligns with the event’s focus on hospitality, community involvement, and creating lasting memories for young visitors who demonstrate a passion for sport and cultural exchange.
Anastasia Leizer, the winner’s mother, reflected on the surprise with heartfelt emotion. She described the moment as almost unbelievable, expressing gratitude and a sense of awe at the unexpected opportunity. While she and her family still process the news, they are savoring the anticipation and looking forward to the experiences that lie ahead, including the chance to witness a high-profile match at a premier venue.
Earlier reports noted the event’s rapid growth in attendance, recounting how seven million visitors had previously celebrated the Russia exhibition milestone. The seven millionth guest, Alexey Maksimov from Volzhsky in the Volgograd region, attended with his wife, Anastasia, and their two daughters—four-year-old Ekaterina and eight-year-old Varvara—creating a family memory connected to a broader celebration of the nation’s achievements and cultural exchange at the fairgrounds.