Russia builds replica Reichstag so teenagers can recreate 1945 victory over Nazis

Mock version of the German parliament, famously stormed by the Soviets at the end of the Second World War, will be used to hone the skills of the Yunarmia, or Young Army

The Reichstag in Berlin. The mocked-up version will give youngsters something true-to-life to attack (Sean Gallup/Getty)

The Russian military is building a replica of Berlin’s Reichstag building as a playground for teenagers to attack at a patriotic theme park.

The country’s defence minister Sergei Shoigu said the mock version of the German parliament, just outside Moscow, would be used during the youth army’s military drills.

The Yunarmia, or Young Army, created in 2015 to encourage patriotism among schoolchildren, provides physical training and teaches basic military skills.

How the Reichstag looked two months after the Soviet army captured the building (Fred Ramage/Keystone/Getty)

Mr Shoigu told the Duma, Moscow’s version of parliament, it was being built so the youngsters could “storm a specific location, not something abstract”.

It is not clear whether the replica building will be available for the public to explore.

The Reichstag was famously captured by the Soviets in 1945 and is an icon for its annual Victory Day celebrations on 9 May.

The building, opened in 1894, was famously burned down in a suspected plot by the Nazis in 1933, but once again became the country’s parliament in 1999.

Mr Shoigu also said the Patriot Park, due to be opened this year, will also feature a replica of a Soviet forest guerrilla base, arms exhibits and military shows.

The initiative comes at a time of strain between Russia and the West over the war in eastern Ukraine and Syria.

The Independent has contacted Germany's Federal Foreign Office for comment.