ZMK Camouflage
(zimnoi maskirovochnyi kostium)

  

Picture coming soon!!

The ZMK coverall

The Soldiers are Wearing:
The soldier to the left is wearing the white ZMK coverall which was introduced to combat units as early as 1938.  He is also wearing a SSh-40 helmet, M36 backpack, and Mosin-Nagant ammo pouches.  He is armed with a M-91/30 rifle.  

The soldier on the right is wearing the ZMK coverall over his M68 pattern fatigues.  He is also wearing the standard Soviet load bearing harness, an enlisted ushanka, and is carrying a AK-47 assault rifle. 

These two pictures show just how long this simple coverall has been used by the Soviet army.

Sources Cited

Soldier of 1941

Soldier of 1978

ZMK Arctic Camouflage Coverall

The white ZMK camouflage coveralls are worn over normal winter field dress. This two piece uniform has been used in every war since the Winter War of 1939. The uniform is issued in three sizes (1,2,and 3) and weighs very little (600-700 grams). The suit also comes with attached mittens to provide concealment for the gloves the user may be wearing and offer a little more protection from the cold. When not in use, both pieces of the suit are stored in a cloth bundle made of identical material. It stores easily in a large pocket or backpack.  It was in production well into the 1990's, but is being replaced by a new version with green splotches to simulate small patches of arctic vegetation.

In modern combat situations (post-1945), colored armbands would be worn to distinguish friend from foe. The exact configuration would be changed daily for security reasons. It is also worth mentioning that during the Cold War some Motor Rifle units in the northern regions were also trained to fight from skis (due no doubt to the Soviet experience with such fighters during the Winter War and Great Patriotic War).  From the 1960's on, troops wearing this coverall would operate from special MTLB armored transports instead of the usual BTR or BMP type vehicle.

 

This Uniform Replaced... ZMK Winter Camouflage This Uniform was Replaced by...
Nothing.  It was the first mass produced camouflage uniform used by the Red Army. A new winter pattern that I do not yet know the designation of.

 

Bibliography

 

Back to Army Uniforms
of the Winter War