Yesterday, March 14, 2025, Ukrainian An-196 Liutyi long-range kamikaze drones attacked the 333rd combat training center near the city of Mulino, Nizhny Novgorod region. This is no ordinary center; it is equipped with modern electronic training equipment and has a large proving ground for conducting mock battles.
With a capacity to prepare 700 servicemen simultaneously, it sees about 30,000 trainees complete the full program each year.
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Interestingly, it was initially supposed to be built in cooperation between German and russian companies Rheinmetall and Rosoboronservis, respectively, under a contract with the russian Ministry of Defense. The contract value was €100 million, as detailed in a Rheinmetall official statement back in 2011 when the agreement was signed.
The works were due for completion by 2014. Under the contract, Rheinmetall was responsible for designing the center's systems, developing and installing communications and a combat analysis system, building a complex of premises, manufacturing a system of laser tag combat simulators, and training the center's personnel.
But in 2014, the German government imposed sanctions against russia over the annexation of Crimea, and Rheinmetall terminated the contract.
Sorry, this is not correct. The Mulino project was stopped at an early stage because of the changed political situation (Crimean crisis). Rheinmetall has not equipped any training centre in Russia.— Rheinmetall (@RheinmetallAG) February 27, 2022
However, russian sources claim that before that happened, the company had already managed to design all the center's systems, train some personnel, help in the deployment of communication, build the premises, and manufacture, but not install, laser-based simulators.
The sanctions have postponed the opening of the center. In 2015, the facility hastily opened, and the unfinished parts were gradually put into operation as construction progressed.
In 2022, the russian Army established the 3rd Army Corps using the 333rd center's training grounds as the basis. It was created specifically for the war against Ukraine. However, the formation of the 3rd Army Corps was not without its problems: the corps itself and the locals from the city of Mulino suffered from severe underequipment, low discipline, and uncontrolled alcoholism.
The 333rd covers a total area of more than 500 square kilometers. Several towns imitating urban and rural development have been built on the territory of its training ground. As of 2015, the center had about 150 simulators for training on various types of weaponry, from small arms to tanks. It is likely that their numbers have grown since then.
In addition to mock battles with a laser tag combat engagement system, it was reported that all the center's simulators could be united in a virtual space for conducting large-scale training clashes in various war theaters.
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