Dagestan Launches Interactive Shooting Range to Train the Next Generation
A new interactive shooting range has opened in Dagestan, combining virtual and mechanical simulation technologies to enhance youth military training in a safe and engaging environment.
A Safe Way to Learn Precision
Dagestan State Technical University (DSTU) has unveiled an interactive shooting range within its military training center, marking a new chapter in Russia’s push toward high-tech education and patriotic development.
According to DSTU rector Nazim Balamirzoev, the range integrates advanced virtual and mechanical simulation technologies, allowing students to practice precision shooting without the risks associated with live ammunition. The equipment replicates real firearms in weight and form, giving students a fully immersive experience while ensuring complete safety during training.
The initiative represents a significant step in promoting technical literacy and defense readiness among young people while emphasizing responsible weapon handling and discipline.
Technology Meets Patriotism
The integration of simulation-based shooting into educational programs demonstrates how Russia is rethinking its approach to patriotic education. The concept allows students to experience the fundamentals of marksmanship long before their military service, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Interactive shooting ranges like the one in Dagestan are becoming key tools in courses such as ‘Fundamentals of Safety and Homeland Defense,’ encouraging teamwork, focus, and self-control. Across the country, similar training systems are being implemented. In Kirov, for instance, the Volga Vyatka College of Informatics, Finance, Law, and Management developed its own domestic-made electronic shooting simulator.
Meanwhile, the state corporation Rostec created a laser-based simulator for the Russian Federation of Modern Pentathlon, eliminating the need for live ammunition. The setup includes a beam pistol and sensor-equipped target that respond to user input, enabling both static and dynamic shooting practice. The technology is cost-effective, safe, and suitable for users of all ages — from athletes to students and members of the national GTO fitness movement.
Universities as Hubs for Military-Tech Innovation
The introduction of the interactive range at DSTU underscores a growing national trend: the fusion of technology and education for defense training.
Dagestan’s example could soon be replicated by universities across Russia, laying the groundwork for a nationwide network of virtual shooting facilities. Beyond its immediate purpose, this digital format is economically efficient and highly adaptable.
Developers foresee the emergence of fully digital training ecosystems that combine data analytics, AI-based performance tracking, and virtual environments for immersive drills. In the long term, Russian-made simulators could gain traction in global markets, offering competitive solutions for sports training, law enforcement, and defense institutions worldwide.
