Published on: 2026-08-30
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
An art picnic “Farewell to Summer” was held at the Unified Support Center for participants of the special military operation (SMO) and their families. SMO veterans and their close ones spent time together: cooking grilled dishes, attending master classes, competing in sports disciplines, and participating in a large quest. The event was part of a city program aimed at supporting military personnel and their families, as well as their adaptation to civilian life.
“There were many smiles, movements, and genuine family excitement at the art picnic: our heroes and their wives, children cooked together, competed, crafted, and simply enjoyed spending time together. Such events provide new impressions, opportunities to communicate, find common interests, and recharge with positive emotions. For us, this is an important part of the extensive system of support for veterans and their families: alongside addressing social issues, we create conditions for active life and shared leisure,” she said Daria Starovoitova, director of the Unified Support Center.
Throughout the day, themed areas were open for guests, where master classes, gastronomic, and musical programs took place. The organizers scheduled the events so that every family member could find an activity of interest, and many formats included joint participation of parents and children.
One of the central features was the culinary area. Teams prepared dishes on the grill and competed in cooking skills. In the creative workshops, guests compiled herbariums and created their own prints for T-shirts. For young visitors, face painting artists were working.
A sports program was prepared for fans of outdoor activities. Adults and children played Twister and board games, competed in relays, completed tasks from musical contests, and engaged in family aerobics.
One of the main events of the art picnic was the quest “The Great Family Adventure.” Teams moved from one themed station to another, answered questions about favorite cartoons, completed sports relays, solved riddles, and navigated using guide maps. The tasks required ingenuity, agility, and teamwork. Parents helped the children, and the young participants often suggested the right solutions to the adults. The celebration ended with a paper show and a prize drawing.
The veteran of the special military operation, Alexey Altunin, remembers family aerobics the most. He leads an active lifestyle, engaging in equestrian sports, diving, and parachuting.
“We love such family events. Here you can relax, try something new, and most importantly, spend time together. For our family, the Unified Support Center has long been a place we want to return to,” he said Alexey Altunin.
In his free time from his main job as a lead engineer, Alexey works with children in the workshop. His eight-year-old daughter Elizaveta is already familiar with the basics of welding and turning and has set two world records in these disciplines.
“I really wanted to make a big kite and decorate it with the whole family — and we did it! I generally like to craft. Dad promised to give me a real blacksmith’s forge for September 1st, and one day I will be able to forge something beautiful as a gift for our beloved center,” she shared Elizabeth.
Sports and creative activities at the Unified Support Center are organized throughout the year. Visitors have access to a gym, the “Garage” workshop, music and cooking studios; family celebrations and themed meetings are also regularly held here. You can choose a suitable activity in the unified center’s event calendar. It features master classes, excursions, sports programs, and off-site events, including karting and bowling. The schedule is designed so that visitors can find options according to their interests and spend free time together with their loved ones.
Supporting participants of the special military operation and their relatives remains one of the capital’s top priorities. A Unified Support Center operates to coordinate existing types and measures of assistance. Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the City of Moscow. Comprehensive assistance is provided here — complete individual support for participants of the special military operation and their families both during their service and after its completion. In addition, the center offers services aimed at the rapid adaptation and socialization of former military personnel.
Additional information is available on the Unified Support Center channel at in the messenger “Max” and by hotline phone: +7 495 870-55-45.
To find out how the capital has changed over the past years, what initiatives aimed at making city dwellers’ lives even more comfortable are currently being implemented, and what awaits Moscow and its residents in the near future, one can visit large-scale special project on the portal mos.ru, dedicated to the development of key areas of Moscow. Among them are transport, industry, healthcare, education, sports, and the construction sector.
On the project page “Social support and employment of the population” you can learn about opportunities for city residents in need of support. The capital provides comprehensive assistance to families in difficult life situations, as well as to people with disabilities and participants of the special military operation. Moscow Longevity Centers Regular morning exercises and yoga sessions, lectures, and other events take place. In addition, the city employment service offers retraining and the opportunity to acquire a new in-demand profession.
Quickly get the main news on the official channels of the city of Moscow in messengers “Max” and “Telegram”.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It is an accurate report of what the source asserts and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.