Army Uniforms of the Russian Federation
(1992-2002)
 

The Soviet Army was thrown into disarray with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.  As it attempted to realign itself with new political and budgetary conditions, uniform changes were brought to a halt.  The introduction of the new 'VSR' camouflage pattern which had began in 1991 in selected units stopped as well. 

For several years the army struggled with what the look of the new Russian Army would be.  During this time, the old Soviet patterns continued to be issued and used (although in some cases the Soviet red star and other emblems were removed).  When the new uniform order was revealed in 1994 the new Russian Army became known to the world.

It was the largest reform of military clothing since the sweeping changes of 1969.  Over three short years a complete array of new badges, patches, and insignia were developed alongside a line of modern uniforms.  The 'VSR' camouflage was established as the basis for the field uniform.  Yet, as sweeping as these changes were, the general staff decided to introduce a new camouflage uniform in 1998 - the 'flora' pattern.

 

The uniforms of this period can be seen on the table below.  The uniforms of marshals and generals are described in the upper section.  Officers and praporshchiks can be found listed in the middle of the table.  Conscripts, extended service men, and cadets are shown in the bottom part of the table.  Special purpose uniforms such as tank operator coveralls, chemical protection suits, and the like can be found in the final section.  At the bottom of the page is a list of source material that we have used to compile information about the uniforms.

Earlier Period Army Uniforms
(1979 - 1991)

Back to
Main Uniform Index

 Later Period Army Uniforms
(2003 - Present)

 

 


Army Uniforms of the Russian Federation
(1992 - 2002)
 
Pre-1994 1994 1998
     
<(earlier uniforms)

General's Uniforms

(later uniforms)>
 

<up>

  
M-1980 Summer General Parade/Walking Out ??

 
M-1969 Summer General Each Day (out of column) (1) (3) (4) ??

 
     
<(earlier uniforms)

Officers, Extended Servicemen, and Praporshchiks

(later uniforms)>
 

<up>

  


M-1972 Summer Honor Guard Parade

 ?? ----->

M-1969 Summer Parade (in column)

?? ----->
M-1969 Summer Parade (out of column) ??

----->

M-1969 Ladies Summer Parade Uniform

 M-1994 Summer Parade Uniform
(in column)		 ----->
M-1969 Summer Parade/Each Day ?? ----->

M-1969 Summer Parade / Walking Out (in Summer coat)		 ?? ----->
M-1969 Winter Parade (in column) ?? ----->
M-1988 Summer Officer Each Day Uniform
(in short sleeve green shirt) (1) (3)		 M-1994 Summer Officer Each Day Uniform
(in short sleeve shirt) (1)		 ----->

M-1988 Summer Parade
(in shirt - white)		    
M-1988 Summer Ladies Parade
(in shirt - white)		    
M-1969 Summer Each Day (out of column - in boots)   ----->
M-1969 Summer Each Day (out of column)   ----->
M-1969 Ladies Summer Each Day (out of column)   ----->
M-1969 Winter Each Day (out of column)   ----->
M-1969 Summer Each Day (in shirt)   ----->

M-1988 Summer Each Day
(out of column/in white shirt) (1) (3)		   ----->

M-1988 Summer Officer
 Each Day Uniform
 (in short sleeve green shirt) (1) (3)		   ----->
M-1988 Summer Ladies Each Day (out of column)
(in shirt - white)		    
M-1988 Summer Ladies Each Day (out of column)
(in shirt - olive)		    

M-1985 Summer Field Uniform
(in garrison)		 1994 Summer VSR Field Uniform (garrison) 1998 Summer 'Flora' Field Uniform (garrison)
M-1985 Summer Field Uniform (combat) 1994 Summer VSR Field Uniform (combat) 1998 Summer 'Flora' Field Uniform (combat)

M-1969 Summer Ladies Field Uniform (combat)		    
M-1969 Winter Ladies Field Uniform    
     
<(earlier uniforms)

Conscripts, Sergeants, and Cadets

(later uniforms)>
 

<up>

  

M-1972 Summer Honor Guard Parade		    

M-1973 Summer Parade Uniform		    

M-1969 Summer Parade / Walking Out
 (Out of Column)		 M-1994 Summer Parade / Walking Out
(Out of Column)		  
M-1973 Summer Kursant Parade / Walking Out    
M-1969 Summer Each Day Uniform
M-1994 Summer 'VSR' Each Day Uniform
M-1998 Summer 'Flora' Each Day' Uniform
M-1969 Winter Each Day Uniform    

1969 Komandant Service Regulator Winter Uniform (1) (2)		    

M-1969 Summer Work Uniform		    

M-1972 Construction Troops Winter Work Uniform		    

M-1985 Summer Each Day/Field Uniform (garrison)		    
M-1985 Summer Each Day/Field Uniform (combat)    

M-1972 Summer Khaki
Armor Crew Coveralls
M-1994 Summer 'VSR' Armor Crew Coveralls		 M-1998 Summer 'Flora' Armor Crew Coveralls

M-1972 Summer Armor Crew Coveralls
M-1972 Winter Armor Crew Coveralls M-1994 Winter 'VSR' Armor Crew Coveralls
M-1998 Winter 'Flora' Armor Crew Coveralls
M-1972 Winter Khaki Armor Crew Coveralls
     
<(earlier uniforms)

Special Purpose Uniforms

(later uniforms)>
 

<up>

  

L-1 Lightweight Protective Suit 		-----> ----->

OP-1 Combined Arms Protective Suit		 -----> ----->

ZMK Arctic Camouflage Uniform (1938)		 -----> ----->

KLMK Camouflage Uniform		 ----->

----->

Spetsodezhda KZS Camouflage Uniform (1975)		 -----> ----->

 

Works Cited

(1) Prilutskaya, N. V. and N. L. Kortunova, ВОЕННАЯ ОДЕЖДА ВООРУЖЕННЫХ СИЛ СССР И РОССИИ (1917-1990), Moscow: Military Publishing, 1999.

(2) Zaloga, Steven J., Inside the Soviet Army Today, London: Osprey Publishing, 1987.

(3) ПРАВИЛА НОШЕНИЯ ВОЕННОЙ ФОРМЫ ОДЕЖДЫ, Moscow: USSR Ministry of Defense, 1989.

(4) ПРАВИЛА НОШЕНИЯ ВОЕННОЙ ФОРМЫ ОДЕЖДЫ, Moscow: USSR Ministry of Defense, 1973.

(5) Jane's NBC Protection Equipment 1988-1989, Edited by Terry J Gander, Alexandria, VA: Jane's Information Group, 1988.
 

Last Updated 4 January 2019 by Ryan Stavka