From British ‘frenches’ to ‘Afghankas’: 5 facts about Soviet military uniform (PHOTOS)

1. In the early years, Soviet soldiers wore whatever they could find

The Red Army was founded in 1918 and immediately found itself in the thick of the Civil War. There was neither time nor opportunity to develop a military uniform.

Soldiers fought in the uniforms of the Russian Imperial Army and civilian clothes with distinctive insignia indicating their affiliation with the Red Army. They even wore American and British ‘frenches’ (named after Field Marshal John French, an often privately tailored officer's service jacket used in the early 20th century).

Only in 1922, after the end of the war, were uniforms regulated and the wearing of unspecified clothing was banned.

2. The ‘Bogatyr’ helmet was the symbol of the Red Army

This domed headdress, reminiscent of the ancient ‘bogatyr’ helmet, was developed during World War I. Russian soldiers were required to wear them during parades through the streets of captured Istanbul.

After the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, these ‘Bogatyrka’ hats were widely used by the Red Army. They were also referred to as ‘Frunzevka’ and ‘Budenovka’ hats, as the first such headdresses were issued to troops under the command of Mikhail Frunze and Semyon Budyonny.

The ‘Bogatyrka’ became the symbol of the Red Army, but soldiers disliked it. The summer version was uncomfortable and often slipped over the eyes. So, in 1924, it was replaced by a peaked cap.

The winter version lasted until the Winter War against Finland in 1939-1940, when it proved completely inadequate in combating the cold. It was replaced by a fur hat with earflaps, although some military schools and rear units wore ‘Bogatyrka’ caps even in 1945.

3. Shoulder straps did not appear in the Red Army until 1943

In the early years of Soviet rule, the word ‘ofitser’ (‘officer’) was associated with the hated tsarist regime and the counterrevolutionary White movement. Instead, the troops used the word ‘komandir’ (‘commander’).

Officers were derogatorily called ‘golden shoulder straps men’, so shoulder straps were deliberately abandoned. Their role was replaced by buttonhole insignia on the collar.

In the 1930s, authorities set a course for gradually restoring the Red Army's continuity with the pre-revolutionary era, whose history was rich in heroic pages. Even before the war against Germany, a number of ranks from the previous era were reintroduced into the troops, including the once-hated ‘general’. And, in 1943, shoulder straps were instituted in place of buttonholes.

"Many commanders said that it was difficult to distinguish a soldier from a sergeant or a sergeant from an officer with the rank insignia that existed at the time. The introduction of shoulder straps immediately distinguished commanders, making them noticeable in a crowd," recalled General Andrei Khrulyov.

4. Soviet paratroopers could wear orange berets

Berets were introduced to the Airborne Forces in the 1960s. Military leadership struggled for a long time to decide on their color: green, dark blue and even orange were suggested.

Ultimately, they settled on a crimson beret, like the one worn by paratroopers from Western European countries. In 1967, the Airborne Forces marched in them during a parade on Red Square.

However, subordinates approached Airborne Forces Commander Vasily Margelov with a request to change the color to light blue – to match the sky and the stripes on the sailor's vest. He agreed and, in 1969, the paratroopers adopted the new, now easily recognizable, blue beret.

5. The most fashionable & comfortable uniform appeared on the eve of the collapse of the USSR

When Soviet troops entered Afghanistan in 1979, they quickly realized how ineffective their military uniform was. It was completely unsuitable for the hot climate and was extremely restrictive during combat. It also lacked pockets and the tarpaulin boots constantly chafed their feet.

In 1984, a new uniform began to be issued to the troops. Due to its similarity to the uniforms of the Warsaw Pact armies, it was dubbed the ‘Varshavka’, but the name ‘Afghanka’ became more popular.

The loose, roomy ‘Afghanka’ had a modern design, numerous conveniently located pockets, a useful drawstring waistband and covered plastic buttons that wouldn't come off when climbing on rocky ground. The lightweight cotton fabric, available in three different shades, absorbed sweat well and made it easy to withstand even +40 degree Celsius (+104°F) heat.

Initially, only the military contingent in Afghanistan received the new uniform, but, by 1988, it was widely adopted by the entire Soviet Army. Russian soldiers, meanwhile, wore the ‘Afghanka’ until the late 2000s.