Germany Slams Russian Plans For 'Reichstag' Children Can Attack

German officials have criticised plans announced by the Russian military to build a replica of Berlin's parliament building as a target for teenagers to attack.

The Russian defence ministry said on Wednesday that the replica, at a theme park near Moscow, would give members of the 'Young Army' the opportunity "to storm a specific location, not something abstract".

The Young Army is a programme to teach schoolchildren military skills and encourage patriotism.

German government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer said the plan was "surprising and speaks for itself". Foreign ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer said:

"We wouldn't build something like that for the education of German youth."

The Reichstag parliament building was the scene of bitter fighting in 1945 between the Red Army and Nazi troops.

There are famous images of Soviet soldiers hoisting their flag over the building.

Cover photo courtesy of the German Federal Archives.