This is the moment a World War II veteran is given the chance to drive Russia’s latest tank over 75 years after his first time behind the wheel.
Gabdrauf Galeev, 93, a World War II (WWII) veteran who was born in the south-western Russian city of Belebey in the country’s Republic of Bashkortostan, was given the chance to remember his time serving the country.
Galeev was recently invited to an army testing base outside the city of Orenburg city where he drove the latest version of the Russian tank T-72B3.
In the video, Galeev can be seen putting on a driver’s helmet before climbing into the tank. He can then be seen driving the vehicle across bumpy terrain before posing on the vehicle with current army members.
According to the Central Army Okrug around Orenburg Oblast, this is the second time authorities have made the man’s wishes come true as he drove the tank last year as well.
He was reportedly a given full safety briefing before fulfilled his long-standing desire of driving the modern T-72 tank, the model of which was the latest B3 modification.
According to local MP Radiy Khabirov, who helped organise the even, Galeev managed to figure out how to drive the new tank within 15 minutes and drove the vehicle for his pleasure.
He said: “These are the cheerful, positive and energetic people we should take an example from.”
Gareev later said: “This is the best present for my upcoming birthday as well as for the 75th anniversary of Victory in WWII.”
Gabdrauf Gareev was born on 14th April 1926 and at the age of 17 he was sent to the front. At the beginning of hid service, he worked as an anti-aircraft gunner and six months later he became the driver of the T-34 tank.
In 1945, he was seriously wounded and shell-shocked in the battles for the liberation of Warsaw. He was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War II degree, as well as military and anniversary medals.
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Story By: Gheorghi Caraseni, Sub Editor:  Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
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