Tank Biathlon Belarus 2017: How It Happened

None of the more than 5,000 people who chose to attend Tank Biathlon Belarus 2017 at the Stalin Line Historical and Cultural Complex on 17 June 2017 were disappointed.

It had everything: the thrill of fierce competition, races in T-72 battle tanks, machine-gun and main-gun firing at targets, spectacular obstacle crossings and cars being crushed beneath the tracks of armoured vehicles! In short, it was an adrenaline-fuelled spectacle.

The first tank biathlon was held at the Alabino training ground near Moscow in 2013. Over the following four years, it attained the status of an international competition. Representatives of 20 countries officially confirmed their participation in the 2017 event. The Belarusian team has competed in the international event since 2013. In 2016, the Belarusian crew took third place.

The Tank Biathlon competitive show was held in Belarus for the first time Tank Biathlon on 22 October 2016. Despite the inclement weather, several thousand spectators enjoyed an unforgettable experience as they watched crews from the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Belarus compete.

Alexander Metla, Executive Director of the “Memory of Afghanistan” Charitable Foundation:

“This year, we decided to hold the competition in summer so that spectators could watch it in comfort. Several pleasant surprises await them: compared with last year, we have extended the course, added new obstacles and introduced an element in which a tank lays a smoke screen.

We are also offering guests plenty of interactive entertainment throughout the complex. The most popular areas will be open: the Tank Crew School, the Ready for Labour and Defence (GTO) competition area and the “Modern Weaponry” quiz. In addition, as part of the event, we will open a new obstacle course together with the Groza hand-to-hand combat club. There will also be a children’s room for our youngest visitors and an exhibition featuring a collection of more than 200 tank models. We have prepared commemorative souvenirs and prizes for active visitors who take part in the event’s competitions.”

It was a warm day, and the competition only intensified the spectators’ excitement. Few people ever see a genuine battle tank in everyday life, and fewer still have witnessed what this monster can do in the field.

Spectators had the unique opportunity to watch the competition from the safety of the stands. The visitor area and stands are situated on high ground, providing an unobstructed view of the entire training ground. Safety measures were stringent, preventing unauthorised visitors or restless children from entering the active competition area.

When a tank gun fires, the ground shakes for several hundred metres around it. The sound is extremely loud. Keeping your mouth slightly open at that moment reduces the pressure on your eardrums.

The competition was won by the crew commanded by Senior Lieutenant Dmitry Artemochkin, who had competed in the international Tank Biathlon competition in Russia.

— Dmitry, congratulations! What does this victory mean to your crew?

— Thank you! It means a great deal to us. We proved first and foremost to ourselves, as well as to the spectators, that we were up to the challenge and in excellent competitive form. Last year, luck was not so kind to us at this training ground. But that was not a reflection of our level of preparation; it was simply an unfortunate combination of circumstances. Thank you to everyone who came to the competition and supported us!

The panel of judges assessed the tank crews on their combined time for completing the course and preparing for and conducting the firing exercises. The result comprised the course time plus any penalty time added for errors made while negotiating obstacles.

A short photo report showing how it happened: