A question for Russians who've served

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

As you may or may not know I'm a huge huge huge fan of Russian gear-equipment and generally interested in anything "Russian".

So I would like to ask a few questions about the Gear today.

1: For members who have served, what was your "original issued kit" (for lack of a better term). I do know that there is no "standard" Russian uniform, I was under the impression that the olive drab VDV was what you wore during training and the "Flora" pattern was your first uniform.(correct me if im wrong)

2: What gear did you like/not like and why?(Yes I already heard that the boots were not so "****-hot") If you can go into much detail as possible that would be greatly appreciated.

3: Besides the obvious (water,ammo,food,weapon) what would be your most valued piece of gear/kit besides that?

4: Any "rare" pieces of kit you ever come across? Anything unique you've spotted another Russian using/wearing.

5: There is a few companys that produce military gear for the Russian armed forces(ANA,Splav,Rex-Design,Npo-Sm,and Shturm). I know there quality is usually top notch, but is there any preffered brand soldiers become accustomed to? Or is it just grab what you need?

I know I ask alot of you guys, but its so interesting I cant help myself. I'm thankfull for anyone who can respond.

Thanks alot guys
the bastardchild

[koster]

If you want to buy something of a really good quality, then I suggest you buy it from SSO (Союзспецоснащение), sorry, I can't remember what their web site's address is, but it has been down for more than 2 years now, so, it doesn't really matter.
Anyway, they have some good Assault vests (Разгрузки), like "Kordon", and the other ones, as well as "Gorka" series BDUs.
You could try emailing them at cco@nm.ru and ask for a list of gear that they make.
~~~
Here are some pictures of the gear that they have: http://www.vrazvedka.ru/main/arming/sso-04.shtml
Price List (in Russian): http://www.vrazvedka.ru/main/arming/sso-01.shtml
All Prices are in Rubels.

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

Thanks its a start. I already got a Russian gear dealer. www.russiancombatgear.com
Stan takes care of my needs, I was more interested in what the people have really "used" the gear and depended on it with there life thought of it.

Thanks for the reply I was wondering if my questions would go "un-read". :hug:

The bastard

[16 OBr SpN]

As you may or may not know I'm a huge huge huge fan of Russian gear-equipment and generally interested in anything "Russian".

So I would like to ask a few questions about the Gear today.

1: For members who have served, what was your "original issued kit" (for lack of a better term). I do know that there is no "standard" Russian uniform, I was under the impression that the olive drab VDV was what you wore during training and the "Flora" pattern was your first uniform.(correct me if im wrong)

2: What gear did you like/not like and why?(Yes I already heard that the boots were not so "****-hot") If you can go into much detail as possible that would be greatly appreciated.

3: Besides the obvious (water,ammo,food,weapon) what would be your most valued piece of gear/kit besides that?

4: Any "rare" pieces of kit you ever come across? Anything unique you've spotted another Russian using/wearing.

5: There is a few companys that produce military gear for the Russian armed forces(ANA,Splav,Rex-Design,Npo-Sm,and Shturm). I know there quality is usually top notch, but is there any preffered brand soldiers become accustomed to? Or is it just grab what you need?

I know I ask alot of you guys, but its so interesting I cant help myself. I'm thankfull for anyone who can respond.

Thanks alot guys
the bastardchild

1) I spent most of my service wearing Gorka. In Afghan, KLS was the best, and I think it's still the best. M21 was good. Nowadays guys are issued with Kukla, and Ten'. Kukla is just a slight modification of KLS.

2) I just liked the uniform as long as it kept me warm/cold depending on time of year. Other factor is quality of stitches, buttons.

3) Pair of dry socks! ;) Anti-mosquito creme!

4) Seen many things, but they were mostly self-made.

5) All of the manufacturers you've listed make very good pieces of gear. I noticed you haven't listed SSO.
SSO, ANA, and Splav are my personal favorites.

If you have any specific questions, I'll be glad to help.

BTW, check the website of SSO: www.sposn.ru
The website is still undergoing testing, but there are several parts which have information. English version should be up soon.

This is the Kukla: http://www.sposn.ru/summer/tropic.html
This is the Parachutist-2 (made for marines): http://www.sposn.ru/summer/tropic.html
This is the Partizan: http://www.sposn.ru/summer/partizan.html (I personally haven't seen it yet, but looks very interesting).
Two pieces of winter uniform: http://www.sposn.ru/winner.html

They haven't included all their products yet. There also will be video files detailing each product.


Regards,
16 OBr SpN

[koster]

Didn't know their site was back up and running again, thanks for the link 16 OBr.

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

Thanks for the replys OBR and Koster, I figured you'd find this thread sooner or later ;)


5) All of the manufacturers you've listed make very good pieces of gear. I noticed you haven't listed SSO.
SSO, ANA, and Splav are my personal favorites.


Yup I did list ANA ;) In fact, I ordered a Grad-1 vest and am currently waiting for it to come from Russia, havent heard of SSO so hopefully with a lil searching I'll be able to find it. From what I've been told all of the Russia vests should "outlast me", so I guess you get what you pay for :P

Thanks very much. :hug:
the bastard :D
p.s. I've developed a tactic for reading all these russia sites, put you mouse over the links and read what the link says because majority of the time its in english ;)

[Dennis G]

What are Russia's basic and advanced level physical training requirements? Like what kind of physical test do you have to pass to be in the Army and its more advanced units?

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

Nm sorry guys I had a brain fart...I know what SSO gear is :P
In fact I posted it in another thread. :lol:

@dennis G
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7201
Check out the thread by OBR and Hist, they know there stuff about Russian tactics and training. I'm sure in page 5 they go over it (just the spetznas part), but I really reccommend you read it all so you get a true understanding of what these units are about. Generally you never "applied" to be in Spetsnaz, they found you ;)

I'd also pose this question to OBR, Dennis keep in mind he cannot tell you every little detail but he can expand on it alot more then I could.

P.s. Check page 12 also hist2000 expands on the "myths" of Russian special forces.

Hope I helped you out.

[anonymous individual]

wow the www.russiancombatgear.com's prices are high. The Grad is sold at 143 USD and from the ANA site it's around 50 USD.

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

wow the www.russiancombatgear.com's prices are high. The Grad is sold at 143 USD and from the ANA site it's around 50 USD.

I just got an email about the status of mine, apparently there is a shortage and wont be shipped until mid march :(

[anonymous individual]

:(

[Sabre]

16 OBr SpN:

This new cammo looks very WW2 german-inspired.

http://www.sposn.ru/winner/images/pc-3_02.jpg

I can't remember the name of the german pattern (oakleaf?) but it is very similar.

This, however, looks like it is the Arktis waterproof smock.

http://www.sposn.ru/winner/images/mdd-3_i1.jpg

My appologies if the text says it is, but my russian isn't too hot.

Also, what's the deal behind the cammo patterns that are very similar to British DPM and US woodland?

Like this:

http://www.sposn.ru/summer/images/photo-p1.jpg

Also, this seems similar to Finnish uniform:

http://www.sposn.ru/summer/images/storm_01.jpg

What's the idea behind it. Surely this would cause confusion, looking back to the way things were? (ie: My Deimaco aimed at you with your AK-74/GP-25, fortunately not the case now ;) ) Or was that the point? I don't get it :| .

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

Also, what's the deal behind the cammo patterns that are very similar to British DPM and US woodland?


With almost every idea in the world, there is people that take the idea and evolve it and twist it to make it something different. The two "woodland" patterns you talk about are called "Nato" and "Les", they are pretty similar to each-other just with some darker colors in the "Les" pattern.

[martinexsquaddie]

is that genuine russian camo?
looks very much like soldier 2000 with the candian buttons.
better let mod know if it is they can find an even cheaper supplier :roll:

[Claymore]

"Art. 63. Troops who fight in the uniform of their enemies, without any plain, striking, and uniform mark of distinction of their own, can expect no quarter."

[Dalleer]

http://www.sposn.ru/summer/images/storm_01.jpg

Ehm, someone else seems to appreciate the Finlayson M/62 fabric as well then....

I must say, that the Russians are pretty confusing, to say the least when they "borrow" designs just like that.

[Sabre]

ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð wrote:

With almost every idea in the world, there is people that take the idea and evolve it and twist it to make it something different. The two "woodland" patterns you talk about are called "Nato" and "Les", they are pretty similar to each-other just with some darker colors in the "Les" pattern.


But why would they want a cammo pattern that is, for all intents and purposes, the same as US and UK (and Finnish) issue cammo?

[Russian Texan]

Guys, you are missunderstanding: various camo styles you see above are not officially adopted by the Russian army, they are just products/experiments by private companies.

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

As some of you may not know there is no standard camoflauge for the Russian army, many soldiers were many different types, and sometimes mis-matching there camoflauge also.


But why would they want a cammo pattern that is, for all intents and purposes, the same as US and UK (and Finnish) issue cammo?

They have many different types of camoflauge pattern, they took the idea and modified it. I imagine if you stick the two articles of clothing together you'd find that the Russian versions "botches" (for lack of better word) are smaller and thinner compared to the American version. There would be also color and fabric differences. If you look at the picture of the guys shirt you'll also notice the big "Canadian-like" buttons also, they take idea's and expand on them.

[intelligenzija]

Bastard check out this thread in the RF Forces Forum:
http://rfforces.phpbbhost1.info/viewtopic.php?t=304

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

Bastard check out this thread in the RF Forces Forum:
http://rfforces.phpbbhost1.info/viewtopic.php?t=304

sorry man the link isnt working..if im correct thats the russia federation forces website by Uninen isnt it?

[intelligenzija]

yes it is. try it again tomorrow - the server is lame sometimes.

[anonymous individual]

Bastard check out this thread in the RF Forces Forum:
http://rfforces.phpbbhost1.info/viewtopic.php?t=304

It is just me or not; the link does work.

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

its the link....

[intelligenzija]

now it should work

[The Kop]

so can anyone tell me which is the most common or standard assault vest , loading system of the Russian Army?