The press service reported by the First Movement confirmed that in the Nizhny Novgorod region, on September 27, at the Istomino airport site, the event known as Zarnitsa: Legends of the Future concluded after several days of coordinated challenges and strategic play. The setting reflected a blend of history and modern experimentation, turning a familiar youth-oriented activity into a showcase of teamwork, adaptability, and regional participation across multiple Russian federal subjects.
On the final day, participants were organized into two contrasting teams, designated as the red and green groups. The red squad brought together competitors from the Nizhny Novgorod region and a diverse circle that also included participants from Kemerovo, Tyumen, Moscow region, Khabarovsk Territory, the Republic of Buryatia, and the Donetsk People’s Republic, collectively forming a wide geographic spread. The green squad included delegates from Moscow, the Chechen Republic, Tatarstan, Kalmykia, Belgorod, Sverdlovsk, Pskov, and the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, illustrating a deliberate cross-section of urban centers and remote districts alike. This distribution highlighted an emphasis on broad regional representation and the ability of the event to convene participants from varied backgrounds for joint tasks and competition. (Source attribution: First Movement press service.)
An elder statesman’s reflection framed the moment, noting that Zarnitsa is a heritage sport that has stretched across generations. The remark suggested that not only parents and guardians remember the game, but that grandfathers and grandmothers hold memories as well. The sentiment underscored the enduring cultural resonance of Zarnitsa while acknowledging how the program has evolved with the times. Sergei Kiriyenko, serving as First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Russia, described Zarnitsa as having transformed alongside changing technologies and social expectations. He emphasized that the First Movement has assembled a professional, highly skilled team and delivered a refreshed, high-tech, modern, and dynamic version of Zarnitsa that still requires the same competitive spirit and resourcefulness from its participants. (Source attribution: First Movement press service.)
Before entering the climactic phase, the contestants received an intensive training regimen designed to simulate real-world operational tempo and decision-making pressures. The final battle pitched two balanced groups of 120 individuals each against a synthetic aerial threat and its surrounding environment, requiring detection and neutralization of imaginary enemy UAVs, the capture of fortified positions, the execution of ambush strategies, and the search for essential resources that would tilt the outcome in favor of their team. The exercise emphasized not only marksmanship and endurance but also situational awareness, team communication, and rapid problem solving under pressure, mirroring scenes from contemporary defense-oriented simulations while remaining safely within the youth-education framework. (Source attribution: First Movement press service.)
As the day concluded, participants gathered in a communal setting around a genuine bonfire alongside mentors and instructors. The mood blended camaraderie with storytelling, as young competitors shared unforgettable moments from the days of competition, sang songs in accompaniment with guitars, and reflected on plans and hopes for the future. The red team emerged victorious in the final judging, while the broader ceremony and closing remarks signaled a sense of achievement, learning, and shared purpose. The formal award event was announced to take place the following day within the historic walls of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, underscoring the ceremonial layers that often accompany such youth-focused programs and their connection to regional heritage. (Source attribution: First Movement press service.)
For context, Zarnitsa: Legends of the Future is a flagship project of the Movement of Firsts, a program designed to fuse physical activity with strategic thinking and civic education. The initiative is developed in collaboration with the Russian community Znaniye, and it benefits from partnerships with key organizations dedicated to youth protection, training, and leadership development. Among these partners are the Center for Military Sports Training and Patriotic Education of Youth, also known as VOIN, the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps, the Young Army movement, Rosmolodezh, and the Russian Technological University MIREA. Through these collaborations, the program aims to broaden access to experiential learning opportunities and to cultivate a generation of young people who can engage with technology, teamwork, and community service in a constructive, values-driven way. (Source attribution: First Movement press service.)