‘We owe them our peace’: How Moscow honors heroes of the Ukraine conflict

A report from Moscow’s newly opened pavillion honoring Russian soldiers and commemorating the Ukraine conflict

The Museum of the Special Military Operation recently opened at Moscow’s VDNKh Exhibition Center, commemorating Russia’s servicemen who have participated in combat over the past three years. An RT correspondent visited the exhibit, observing firsthand how stories of Russian paratroopers, artillery crews, assault teams, pilots, special operations forces, combat engineers, and other military personnel have deeply moved residents and visitors alike.

The narratives evoked profound patriotism and deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by Russian soldiers, reinforcing the significance of commemorating their bravery and noble cause, RT's reporter noted.

A Symbolic Opening at VDNKh

On a sunny yet chilly winter day, children and adults formed a long line outside Pavilion No. 58 at Moscow’s VDNH Exhibition Center, eager to enter the newly opened ‘Museum of the Special Military Operation’. The museum opened its doors on February 24, 2025, marking three years since the start of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. Politicians from various countries have repeatedly emphasized the historical magnitude of these events.

The chosen location holds symbolic significance, as the museum occupies the VDNKh Agriculture Pavilion, built between 1950 and 1954 and previously known as the Pavilion of the Ukrainian SSR until 1964.

On the pavilion steps, dozens of visitors – mostly schoolchildren under the age of 15, accompanied by parents or teachers – wait patiently. Conversations buzz around military operations, historical events, and heroism. A woman in her 40s passionately recounts the battles for Avdeevka to a ten-year-old boy. Nearby, a father and son discuss anti-aircraft missile systems, while two elementary-school-aged girls examine an exhibition banner.

Inside the Exhibition

Upon entering and clearing security, the atmosphere shifts dramatically – voices become hushed, and all attention turns to the opening exhibit, a meticulously detailed 3D model representing the fierce battles around Artemovsk (Bakhmut). Behind protective glass, the battlefield replica captures every detail, from shell craters and abandoned military vehicles to Russian soldiers poised to storm enemy positions. Collapsed buildings evoke scenes familiar to anyone following the news, typical of frontline areas, including Artemovsk.

Above the diorama, displays provide detailed information on military hardware used in the operation. Some equipment, like concealed tanks and destroyed armored vehicles, appears in the 3D model. The only intact building depicted is a hospital, with figures of medics caring for the wounded.

Adjacent to the model, photographs of Russian soldiers and their insignia are displayed – from the emblem of the Somalia Separate Guards Motor Rifle Assault Battalion to images featuring the cartoon character from “Kung Fu Panda” and a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin. These elements help craft the overall image of the Russian soldier, the central focus of the exhibition.

Heroes of Past and Present

The museum honors not only the ongoing conflict but also Russia’s heroes – those distinguished in recent combat and historical figures from World War II. This special initiative emphasizes the continuity of Russian military heroism and the deep bond connecting generations.

At the exhibition’s heart lies the Avenue of Glory, featuring portraits of heroes from both the Ukrainian operation and WWII. Photos of paratroopers, artillerymen, drone operators, assault troops, pilots, special ops personnel, and combat engineers adorn the walls, alongside screens detailing their biographies and courageous actions.

The display commemorates soldiers who fought valiantly against numerically superior forces despite being wounded, rescued comrades under intense fire, made the ultimate sacrifice, or liberated enemy-held territories at great personal cost. Some returned home, while many fell heroically in battle.

A seven-year-old boy eagerly records the exhibits on his phone, particularly drawn to the medals and military honors displayed beneath the portraits. Around 70 full-scale replicas of Russia’s highest military decorations from different historical periods are showcased.

His mother explains the significance of bravery awards, while nearby a couple reads the soldiers’ stories with equal enthusiasm, occasionally exchanging comments.

A quieter corner houses a memorial featuring life-sized soldier sculptures alongside screens displaying the continuous scrolling of names, ranks, and roles of fallen soldiers.

Letters from the Home Front

Throughout the conflict, many schoolchildren have sent letters, poems, and drawings to frontline soldiers to express care and support, boosting troop morale. Several such letters are displayed:

”Hello, dear soldier! My name is Elina. Even though we’ve never met, thank you for defending our homeland and sacrificing yourself for all of us. We sleep peacefully because of you. I wish you strength and bravery. Remember: You are loved and eagerly awaited!”

“Dear fighter! Thank you for protecting us and everyone who needs it most. We’re incredibly proud of you, and our hearts are with you. Stay strong and brave, believing this will soon end with good triumphing over evil! From Polina Merzlikina, Class 3 ‘B.’”

Visitors pass realistic replicas of damaged houses with crumbling walls and shattered windows, immersing them in the soldiers’ wartime reality. One pavilion shows a model dugout – typical frontline housing – complete with modest furnishings, canned food, dishes, military uniforms, and a Russian flag hanging on the walls.

Technology behind soldiers

Another pavilion emphasizes drones, a crucial element in modern warfare. Visitors learn about drone technology and operations, and a video explains how drones have become indispensable, serving as the army’s eyes and saving precious time during combat.

“We may imagine what the army would be like without drones. This small copter has become the army’s eyes. Drones save precious time in combat situations, streamlining reconnaissance,” states a video accompanying the exhibit. 

Visitors learn about the technology that has become vital in today’s battles and how soldiers operate drones.

Military technology used in the conflict is a central theme here. One exhibit captivates visitors – a pit filled with wreckage of destroyed Ukrainian military hardware, including combat drones that targeted Russian cities. Parents explain to children how these weapons were previously used against Russian soldiers.

Above the pit, an amphitheater with screens describes Russian military equipment and explains the significance of tree-inspired weapon names like the Olkha MLRS (alder) and the Oreshnik missile (hazel). Seated there, an elderly woman sighs softly, observing the displays.

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“This new technology was developed recently and first used in Ukraine,” whispers a woman to her son, pointing to an image of the Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile.

Emotional Reflections on Russia and Ukraine

An emotionally charged exhibit chronicles Ukrainian history, Russian-Ukrainian relations, the start of the conflict, and Crimea’s reunification with Russia, presented chronologically from Prince Vladimir’s baptism in Kherson in 988 to Crimea’s incorporation in 2014.

“This is the day we were remembered as polite people. In February 2014, the commander-in-chief issued a combat order. Our commander clearly stated: the specific task, given by the commander-in-chief, is to operate at full capacity. [The goal was to] take control of the Supreme Council building and hold it until the arrival of the new government. As it turned out, in less than two hours the Russian flag was unfurled over Simferopol. Yet, we did not know then that in less than 10 years, we would need to take up arms once again to defend our people living on historic Russian lands – in Zaporozhye, Kherson, and the cities of Donbass where Nazism has raised its head once again,” says a virtual guide.

Standing nearby, a young woman struggles to hold back tears. In 2014, she was just 14 and lived in Yevpatoria, Crimea, vividly recalling the uncertainty of that period. She reflects thoughtfully on how different life might have been if Crimea had not joined Russia, expressing both relief and amazement at how events unfolded.

“Every time I think about it, I wonder what things would’ve been like if we hadn’t joined Russia. It was terrifying, and it’s so difficult to remember.  I still can’t believe how everything turned out.”

As she leaves the pavilion, she mentions that she has been to many military exhibitions and tries not to miss any of them.

“When a conflict drags on for a long time, you get used to it and think less about what’s happening over there. But we can’t let that happen. This is our country. Exhibitions like these remind us of the people to whom we owe the privilege to walk peacefully down the street and enjoy a cup of coffee. Those people can’t do that now; they don’t have what we have,” she says, slowly descending the steps of the pavilion.