RT has taken a look at a huge new training center for special operations forces in Chechnya, with dozens of locations recreating emergency zones – including some reminiscent of first-person shooter video games.
The new training facility in the Chechen town of Gudermes provides locations for replicating operations in any kind of natural surroundings – on land, in the air and even underwater – and can be used by groups or individual troops.
“Our center is the biggest of its kind in the world. It’s possible to work on all kinds of special operations here – on the ground, on water and in the air. We have a whole town to master various tactics,” Daniil Martynov, head of the center, told RT Arabic.
While the RT crew was trying to find its way around the enormous area, one group of soldiers was seen storming a building occupied by ‘militants’ while another cleared nearby buildings.
Another location was being used for firing practice by a special forces unit assigned to protect Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov. In 2015, the same forces took part in international competitions in Jordan, coming in first.
Now the center is expected to open its doors to foreign special forces personnel aiming to upgrade their skills.
“We have training every day. All defense and law enforcement agencies are training here, including the National Guard and Interior Ministry squadrons,” Adam, an instructor at the center, said.
The center also boats a giant testing ground where the RT crew had a chance to see drills for a new military buggy.
The new vehicle boasts lightweight features, helping its ability to maneuver, especially in a mountain environment.
In a 2016 interview with Interfax, Kadyrov said that the training center in Gudermes would officially open in 2018, adding that it would cover an area of over 400 hectares and have its own runway.
The mini-town will boast some 40 training locations, including one with an air tunnel, another for mine sweepers and a whole area for parachute training.
The center is funded through private investments, rather than being state-run, according to Gazeta.ru.
In 2016, Kadyrov announced that he was looking for some 200 instructors from all over the world for the center, saying that 10 American experts had already filed applications.
Applicants must have experience as servicemen in global conflict hotspots and as instructors, Gazeta.ru added.