Schoolboy Who Died in Tank to Be Buried in Yakutsk
Anton, a 16-year-old from Yakutsk, had long dreamed of joining the military and defending his country.
Ninth-grader Anton, who died in Yakutsk after climbing into a display tank, will be buried on January 24 at the Maganskoye Cemetery. His death has shocked the entire republic. No one thought the boy, who decided to visit the «Russia — My History» museum, would suddenly die. Anton«s relatives believe that he, having dreamed all his life of defending his homeland, has posthumously become a hero — his death has exposed the negligent attitude of adults towards children»s safety. Anton«s sister told a 14.RU correspondent about this.
The tragedy occurred on January 21 when the teenager, who was passionate about military equipment and World War II history, went to the museum with a friend after school. They began climbing on the military equipment exhibits that were standing outside. One of the tanks that Anton climbed into was open — the boy got inside through the bottom hatch, accidentally touched the firing mechanism, and it recoiled, hitting him on the head. The boy died on the spot.
«We were told that the tank was in combat-ready condition, in a stabilized state, the gun did not move, but the tank itself moved, and the hatch was not welded shut,» said Naryya.
Anton ended up on the museum grounds not by chance — that day he had asked his parents for permission to go for a walk with a friend after school and really wanted to visit the museum. In life, Anton was not just interested in the army, but collected military artifacts, wanted to enter a cadet school after the 9th grade and fulfill his childhood dream — to become a soldier.
«He never abandoned his friends, never left anyone in trouble. If someone was feeling bad, he stayed by their side. Anton was a patriot of his homeland and wanted to do something useful for people, to leave his mark. But we didn»t think it would happen so early. He didn«t even have a chance to live,» says Naryya.
On January 23, the family gathered loved ones in a quiet setting to say goodbye to Anton, and they called a priest because Anton was baptized. Two of his close friends asked to come:
«We want to come and say goodbye, can we take something from Anton»s personal belongings as a keepsake?« they asked.
The relatives did not refuse. Because not only for the family, but for them too, Anton«s death is a great loss.
«Moreover, they are young souls. He will remain in their memory for their whole lives. Anton was born in December, he was the oldest in the class,» says Naryya.
Anton«s friend, who was with him on that tragic day, is feeling unwell.
«Every time he got up from the table, excusing himself that he wanted to drink water. We later saw that he was secretly stepping away from us to wipe away tears. He tried to be a real man and not cry. It»s hard for him,« says Naryya.
According to her, many Yakuts and residents of Russia sent donations for Anton«s funeral and wrote that »Anton is a hero, other small children could have been in his place.«
«The entire republic supported us, even those we don»t know called and passed on condolences. Mom said that in every woman after Anton«s death, a mother awoke, and in every man — a father. We are very grateful to everyone. People wrote that our Anton is a hero. Because due to this situation and publicity, such negligence will not happen again,» said Naryya.
Anton«s mother recently underwent heart surgery after a heart attack and still left the hospital early to see her only son off on his final journey. She wanted to bury him next to her father and brother.
«She is holding on with sedatives, every day she asks us how she should go on living,» says Naryya.
According to her, the investigation is already dealing with the case — museum employees have been called in for questioning. The main question remains: why was the dangerous exhibit open for access all this time? The museum refused to give an official explanation to 14.RU.
The farewell to Anton will take place on January 24 at 12:00 at the «Necropolis» (funeral home near the Yakutsk Medical Center). In addition to relatives, classmates, teachers from School No. 2, and friends will come to the ceremony.
Anton was only 16 years old.
