The action was organized by the Ministry of Education and Science of the DPR, with assistance of the Ministry of youth, sport and tourism, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the DPR and National Council.

Seven teams from the leading higher education institutions of the Donetsk People's Republic and one team from LPR will compete in military and sports student's games.

The First Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mikhail Kushakov, deputies of National Council Anatoly Koval and Sergey Zavdoveev, the deputy head of administration of the city of Snejnoye Rashit Dubin as well as representatives of GSERRO (group on carrying out special extra risk rescue operations) "Legion" participated in a ceremonial opening.

"Dear friends, I am glad to welcome you at opening of Republican winter military and sports student's games, - Mikhail Kushakov addressed the audience. – On the one hand, it is a game, on the other it is a test of your forces, check of physical training. Near Snejnoye there is heroic Saur-Mogila known for a feat of our people in days of the Great Patriotic War and during the war in Donbass. You have to be worthy these heroes. Of course, the strongest will win in these  competitions; we will learn who it will be at the end of the week. Good luck to all of you!"

Military and sports student's games will last till January 14. Within a week the teams will compete in force and dexterity, in competitions on overcoming an obstacle course, weapons assembly and disassembly relays, will make a route march, etc. Besides, cultural and mass and patriotic actions, meetings with the staff of the city museum and many other things are planned in a highly topical daily program.

Material support of games is provided by "Legion", they also developed the program of competitions.

The captain of M. Gorky DonNMU Vladimir Fomenko told that some members of their team have already been participating in winter games for the second time. They prepared for competitions, held trainings, their spirit is fighting, and everybody is determined to win though a prize-winning place is not the most important thing.

According to the captain of M. Tugan-Baranowski DonNUET Egor Korotkikh, the members of his team also looked forward winter competitions, prepared for them after the lectures in the gym. During the last year's competitions they lived in tents, in field conditions, now they are in the comfortable building of the Republican improving center. From "Dawn-2017" students expect an opportunity to show their forces and also to communicate to their peers from other higher education institutions.