Russia Launches Digital Archive With VR Tour to Mark 85 Years Since Battle in the Far East
In Chita, officials unveiled an innovative educational website that uses virtual reality and artificial intelligence to bring new depth to the history of the little-known 1939 Khalkhin Gol conflict.
The large-scale digital project, dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the joint Soviet and Mongolian victory over Japanese forces at the Khalkhin Gol River, has been launched in the Trans-Baikal Territory. Although the battle rarely appears in global historical literature, it significantly influenced the balance of power in World War II.
In May 1939, Japanese troops invaded the Mongolian People’s Republic. However, Soviet forces stationed there under a government agreement, together with the Mongolian army, dealt a decisive defeat to the Japanese military.
The new website acts as a virtual bridge between a heroic past and today’s younger generation, offering an immersive way to explore history.
The project was developed by the Chita School of Creative Industries and the Trans-Baikal Regional Museum with support from the regional government and Sberbank.
The developers’ main goal is to make the study of history both accessible and engaging. The site provides global access to digitized archives, including unique photos, maps, letters, and historical records.
A key feature of the platform is a full VR tour of the museum exhibition. Visitors can take a virtual walk, examine artifacts in detail, and listen to professional commentary.
Another innovation is an AI-powered assistant based on Sber’s GigaChat neural model. This digital guide responds to user questions about the events at Khalkhin Gol, clarifying dates, names, and other details directly on the site.
