Teen's Sister Reveals Tragedy: He Dreamed of Serving in SMO

Relatives of 16-year-old Anton, who died on 20 January in a tank on the territory of the museum «Russia – My History», are raising funds for his funeral. The tragedy took the family«s only son, a boy who was eager to grow up quickly and go to the Special Military Operation (SMO) to defend the Motherland.

Anton A. was in the 9th grade at School No. 2 in Yakutsk, planned to take exams in the summer and enter a cadet school: he had dreamed of becoming a soldier since childhood.

«His parents allowed it because the weather was warm. But Anton didn»t say where exactly he was going or why,« Anton»s sister Naryya told a 14.RU correspondent.

Anton and his friend ended up on the territory of the historical museum «Russia – My History», where NATO military trophies were on display.

«He was always interested in military topics, was fascinated from a young age, he liked the history of World War II. Then, when the SMO began, he wanted to go serve. Anton was a patriot of his homeland, said: »I wish I could grow up faster to help my fellow countrymen,« those who are defending,» Naryya said.

While walking with his friend, Anton climbed into the exhibition tank through the lower hatch in the hull. According to official information from the republic«s prosecutor»s office, he got into the fighting compartment, one of the structures collapsed and crushed him, the boy died on the spot.

The family was informed of the tragedy by a museum employee. He first called the boy«s mother, but the woman was in the cardiac surgery department – she had recently undergone surgery after a heart attack. In the end, Anton»s father and his sister arrived at the scene.

Naryya believes that Anton could have survived if the tank had been closed.

«Of course, we think it shouldn»t have been left like that. Exhibition tanks should be welded shut anyway. How many more such tragedies there will be is even unknown,« the girl says.

The press service of the historical park refused to comment on the situation while the investigation is ongoing and to explain why the exhibition exhibit was in open access. The republic«s prosecutor»s office is conducting an inspection into the child«s death. The Investigative Committee (SK) has opened a criminal case under the article »Causing death by negligence,« the head of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin has taken the case under his personal control.

Naryya has no more brothers or sisters. Anton was the only son in the family: «We have a 17-year age difference, he was a very long-awaited child, a boy, the continuer of the family line, so it»s a very heavy loss for us.«

Anton«s family is raising funds for his funeral and asking for help. To find out what exactly the family needs, you can inquire by phone: +7 999 173-42-44.