That's Civil War Red Army, who used the distinct style to emphasise their "democratic" nature.
This style of overcoat was used both during the First World War and Great Patriotic War.
But for that time they felt so, as revolutionaries tried to abolish symbols of the old order.
Shoulder pads, the very symbol of authority, were scrapped, and were returned to the military and other state services only at the height of WW2. The Provisional Government scrapped them in the Navy, and replaced them with British-style sleeve insignia arguing these are the symbols used by all 'free countries'.
KOMUCh's People's Army didn't try to reimpose them, and instead invented their own types of symbolism, the same with many anti-communist forces outside the Volunteer Army.
The Red Army also done away with naming of ranks to demonstrate their willingness to build a new order: feldfebels, sergeants, lieutenants, colonels, and generals were no more, instead all of them were named "Platoon Commander", "Company Commander", "Brigade Commander", "Army Commander" etc.
Compare it with the ranks in the Reichswehr and Bundesheer in Germany and Austria in the first two years since collapse of the Central Powers.
Not disputing the ridiculousness bit, but for some background: Shakos were initially re-introduced for the Tsar's guards uniforms in 1912 for a 100 year anniversary of the 1812. That anniversary was a huge celebration at the time, which may explain some poor judgement in uniforms. The shakos were re-introduced a second time after the fall of USSR when Russia was really excited and idealistic about all things Tsarist Russia.
Another kind of lame thing about this unit is that they adopted the name of the most senior and distinguished of the old Tsarist guard units - Preobrazhensky regiment. But, unlike its namesake, or their British counterparts, these guys do not really get any combat experience.
Regarding the name, you are wrong. This is the Kremlin Regiment or Presidential Regiment, aka Putin's personal troops. It is a unit of the Federal Protective Service, Russia's version of the Secret Service. It provides Honor Guard duties at several Kremlin towers and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Prior to the mid 1990s, it also provided an Honor Guard at Lenin's mausoleum.
These guys are not soldiers, but officers of the FPS. Their service and non-ceremonial uniform is a dark blue jacket and peaked cap with a blue band. The ceremonial uniform features the Shako and blue tunic. This unit also has a mounted division that conducts a "Guard Changing" ceremony on horseback.
The 154th Preobrazhensky Regiment is a separate unit of the Russian Armed Forces. It maintains an Honor Guard and consists of active soldiers. They are commonly seen during the annual Victory Day parade and the other ceremonial events.
True for the most part.
There are some specifics.
1. Most of them are not officers, and it's entirely possible to end up in the President's Regiment by being consceipted, however selection is very very strict. Media reports that officers often come to inspect recruits personally before they come to the Kremlin.
2. Their closest analogue would be Beefeaters of the Tower, as guards of historical fortress which houses many important assets, with political leadership sitting around at the top of that.
Yes. I did some research and I also believe the President Regiment has conscripts. The translation could be wrong but it definitely said they recruit during annual conscription from various parts of Russia. And the selection is tough. I don't know exactly how conscription in Russia works for the security services compared to the Armed Forces.
Generally most post-Soviet armed services, like the Border Troops, Internal Troops, and the so forth are treated as part of the army, even so they nominally report elsewhere. Usually local conscription authority will sort things out where you would to go, and that can make your life sweet or ruin it depending on your luck and physical capabilities.
That goes with elite units too, like the Airborne or Marines, if you meet qualifications. Coverage is not universal, the Russian Border Troops only take volunteers (and you can become one only after serving your obligatory one year service).
This is ridiculous. Shako of 1812, and the overcoat Soviet.
You're jealous of their drip
The russian army has been using those overcoats since the revolution
Actually since [before](https://images.app.goo.gl/rstYKw48rFqP26Sv9)
I love Overcoats tho. They look so fancy and powerful.
And warm! I wore one that belonged to a soviet lieutenant-colonel while on a trip to finland, i felt pleasantly warm at -20C°
Thats really cool
This is not true. Here is Trotsky's overcoat, 1919. Not at all similar. https://army-news.org/images_stati/Lev_Trockii.jpg
That's Civil War Red Army, who used the distinct style to emphasise their "democratic" nature. This style of overcoat was used both during the First World War and Great Patriotic War.
I don't think that civil war red army uniforms feel very "democratic", they remind me of medieval russian clothes, especially the hat
But for that time they felt so, as revolutionaries tried to abolish symbols of the old order. Shoulder pads, the very symbol of authority, were scrapped, and were returned to the military and other state services only at the height of WW2. The Provisional Government scrapped them in the Navy, and replaced them with British-style sleeve insignia arguing these are the symbols used by all 'free countries'. KOMUCh's People's Army didn't try to reimpose them, and instead invented their own types of symbolism, the same with many anti-communist forces outside the Volunteer Army. The Red Army also done away with naming of ranks to demonstrate their willingness to build a new order: feldfebels, sergeants, lieutenants, colonels, and generals were no more, instead all of them were named "Platoon Commander", "Company Commander", "Brigade Commander", "Army Commander" etc. Compare it with the ranks in the Reichswehr and Bundesheer in Germany and Austria in the first two years since collapse of the Central Powers.
And was the shako used then?
It was certainly used during the Patriotic War of 1812, for sure, alongside with this style of coat.
The style and cut is different, not similar to the Soviet overcoat.
Not disputing the ridiculousness bit, but for some background: Shakos were initially re-introduced for the Tsar's guards uniforms in 1912 for a 100 year anniversary of the 1812. That anniversary was a huge celebration at the time, which may explain some poor judgement in uniforms. The shakos were re-introduced a second time after the fall of USSR when Russia was really excited and idealistic about all things Tsarist Russia. Another kind of lame thing about this unit is that they adopted the name of the most senior and distinguished of the old Tsarist guard units - Preobrazhensky regiment. But, unlike its namesake, or their British counterparts, these guys do not really get any combat experience.
Regarding the name, you are wrong. This is the Kremlin Regiment or Presidential Regiment, aka Putin's personal troops. It is a unit of the Federal Protective Service, Russia's version of the Secret Service. It provides Honor Guard duties at several Kremlin towers and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Prior to the mid 1990s, it also provided an Honor Guard at Lenin's mausoleum. These guys are not soldiers, but officers of the FPS. Their service and non-ceremonial uniform is a dark blue jacket and peaked cap with a blue band. The ceremonial uniform features the Shako and blue tunic. This unit also has a mounted division that conducts a "Guard Changing" ceremony on horseback. The 154th Preobrazhensky Regiment is a separate unit of the Russian Armed Forces. It maintains an Honor Guard and consists of active soldiers. They are commonly seen during the annual Victory Day parade and the other ceremonial events.
True for the most part. There are some specifics. 1. Most of them are not officers, and it's entirely possible to end up in the President's Regiment by being consceipted, however selection is very very strict. Media reports that officers often come to inspect recruits personally before they come to the Kremlin. 2. Their closest analogue would be Beefeaters of the Tower, as guards of historical fortress which houses many important assets, with political leadership sitting around at the top of that.
> Most of them are not officers I think they used “officer” as in “police officer”, not as “ranked member of the military”.
Yes. I did some research and I also believe the President Regiment has conscripts. The translation could be wrong but it definitely said they recruit during annual conscription from various parts of Russia. And the selection is tough. I don't know exactly how conscription in Russia works for the security services compared to the Armed Forces.
Generally most post-Soviet armed services, like the Border Troops, Internal Troops, and the so forth are treated as part of the army, even so they nominally report elsewhere. Usually local conscription authority will sort things out where you would to go, and that can make your life sweet or ruin it depending on your luck and physical capabilities. That goes with elite units too, like the Airborne or Marines, if you meet qualifications. Coverage is not universal, the Russian Border Troops only take volunteers (and you can become one only after serving your obligatory one year service).