Many people don't know a lot about what "Airsoft" is in Russia and if it exists or not. We are eager to inform that yes, it does. By the way, it's well developed and called "Strikeball". In Russia, the Strikeball season starts in spring and finishes in autumn. In winter there aren't many big games held, but there are lots of amazingly great games during the season.

For example, on the 6th of September in the Ural region, not far from Atig village (80 km from Yekaterinburg, the fourth largest city in Russia) a big Strikeball game, "The Combat for Manhattan", took place. The organizers of this game became the group called "Combat". The preparations for the game had been ongoing for almost one year and it was worth it.

As a special for this game, an M1A1 Abrams tank was built, as well as a Hummer, a BTR 80 and even the Statue of Liberty. Like it was written in the scenario, there were two sides of the fight: the Soviet Union and the United States army. Like it was planned, the Soviet Army attacked Manhattan and the American Army defended the line.

The game started with explosions, with cars on fire, destroying tanks, and tons of fireworks. For the whole night there were exciting fire fights that calmed down only in the morning for just a short break. Then after 12 pm participants rushed into the fight again. This time they used armored vehicles with a laser-tag system and did other not less interesting activities. By the end of the game the fighters formed a line and were given medals to remember the event.

It is necessary to say that the organizers of the game "The Combat for Manhattan" had invited foreign gamers from the US, the UK and other countries, which were offered free transfer from the airport to the game field and even Strikeball weapon (airsoft guns) to use during game time, but unfortunately none of them came. One famous team, the Green Mountain Rangers (GMR), were invited personally but also did not come. That is probably the reason why the side of the Soviet Union won.

Next year, it is planned that the game will be continued as series, where all gamers from all over the world wishing to fight the Soviet Union are invited.

You can see more photos and the full report in Russian here.