The history of airsoft movement in Russia began from 1997. The first game was organized by people who were interested in wars history in various epochs for a long time (Vikings, Borodino struggle in 1812, I and II World Wars, USA in Vietnam War). Then there were only 25 people, dressed and armed with absolutely different stuff. But everybody liked that first game and we started to invite our friends to the next games, so the airsoft’s popularity growth had begun.
At the same 1997 there was appeared our Russian term for this game – STRIKEBALL.
In 1998 was created the first Web-site dedicated to airsoft thematics and the development and improvement of that site have lead to a very fast growth of strikeball in Russia and former USSR. The main part of airsoft players is concentrated on our’s Web-site conference, when we have daily live chatting between our members, experience exchange and beginners FAQ. Those of you, who want to chat with our Russian Strikeball players in English, click here.
Every year we perform major events and their dates never change – we call them SEASON OPENING (each May) and SEASON CLOSURE (each September). These games gather more than 300 people (like in 2002). We have got several fields not very far from Moscow where we use to play. These fields are different – forests, fileds with water barriers, bunkers, dugouts, tranches, prepared positions, buildings – unfinished and destructed, etc.
Beside major events we have got different ones during the whole year, using various topics and players quantities – around 30 or 40 events and games yearly. Also we apply different thematics for these games, for instance, reenactments of some army situations and military simulations.
We prepare and discuss in the conference the scenario for each game. And into each scenario we try to include something special, for example, in May 2002 we used a real helicopter which incerted a recon team behind the enemy’s line!
In our events may take part any man or woman who follows our rules, has own gun and relates to any team, or organized his/her own. Definition of the team for us - voluntary community of players from 10 people and more, dressed and armed as one of the real world military units or army of any country. Every team tries to reach a maximum detailed copy of unit or army look and their field tactics.
At the present moment we have got the following large teams:
and many others – teams from Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, Kiev, Minsk and other Russian and former Soviet Union cities.
We use determined rules for all games, briefly. Sincerity – one hit and you’re out of game – depends on scenario conditions till the end of the game or for a specified period of time (time can be shortened if you wear helmet or ballistic jacket). Only adult (more that 18 years old) players are allowed. Guns power and upgrade is restricted by the Rules. It is possible to use legal and not dangerous pyrotechnics.
There are lots of gunsmithes among us, they do not simply buy airsoft guns, but make themselves some models. They have already made precise airsoft copies of Kalashnikov’s PK, RPK and AK.
Our Web-site also contains information about guns, gear and airsoft game tactics translated from different languages into Russian and even written by our members. We have got lots of pictures which can help you to imagine Strikeball in Russia. Unfortunately, it is impossible to translate all our Web-site contents in English, but you can visit our Photos Archive or chat with us in English in our Conference. Please, send all your questions, wishes, offers etc. to: info@airsoftgun.ru
