Please bear with me while I weld out the hull breaches... and any and all suggestions/contributions are most welcome. I'll add pictures later (lots, I promise), and more information as it comes to me or is suggested. I hope you like it. I need some sleep.
This guide contains information most immediately relevant to airsofters, if I were to start talking about everything from Sukhois to the art of dropping in crewed tanks by parachute... you'd need to find me a publisher so we can make some money. At the bottom you'll find a categorized list of links that I used for reference, and a few just for you, included for expanded reading. Immediate thanks goes to the people of http://www.red-alliance.net/forum/
I've noticed a distinct lack in these forums of Eastern Bloc themed airsoft, more specifically, the Russian stuff! I'm interested in getting you interested in the other side. We see plenty of NATO guys out there shooting each other, why not give them something different that shoots back? Tired of things like tactical, accessory rail, and the letter M?
First, a disclaimer. I am by no means an expert on any of this. Take all of my words with a grain of salt. Part of this is due to the nature of Russia, its military is not at all advertised 24/7 to such proportions as our own, especially to foreigners. Infact, since world war 2, the USSR/RFs strategy has been misinformation, you can never really be sure about anything. Information is gathered mostly through photographs, first hand accounts, and videos. The occasional official statement or media report does plenty to help, but the mystery is ever present, which is part of the draw.
So, without further delay, I present a basic introduction and guide to Russian Milsim.
The Soldiers of the Russian Federation
The fighting forces of the Russian Federation can be divided into two groups. The first group is the actual army, navy, airforce, so on and so forth, as their equivalents would be in the western world, known collectively as the Russian Federation Armed Forces (RFAF). Where the real confusion comes in is the second group. The second group has control over the great majority of spetsnaz units, as well police units ranging from Traffic cops to border guards to the much feared OMON. I don't imagine your local police department has air and artillery support? While the expression is an overstatement, this is indeed a large wide-ranging group. The big players are the Federal Security Bureau (FSB) the Ministry of Interior (MVD).
VDVA group of note in the RFAF is the VDV, Russian Paratroopers, a popular choice for eastern bloc airsofters. With a history going back before WWII, the VDV in its early iterations was one of the worlds first paratrooper units, I recall an internet argument of epic proportions that says they were infact the first. Who knows... But what is known is that they have some of the best training offered to regular soldiers of the RFAF. VDV also applies to amphibious troops, the Russian term Desent (where the D comes from) means to land, in any sense, be it by beach or sky.
What is Spetsnaz?
The term Spetsnaz is the Russian language equivalent of SpecOps, it's a very much unspecific term that applies to many individual groups with widely varying purposes and training. Reliable information about any Spetsnaz unit is hard to come by, and little is known about any of the groups who we know exist in the first place. As such I'll keep this section very simple, and stress again that due to its nature, my guide is to be taken with a grain of salt.
Group 1The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation has the GRU, as capable as any of the MVD and FSB units, under direct control of the RFAF.
Group 2The
FSB has 3 main groups of Spetsnaz. These units are trained mainly to combat terrorists.
1) Group Alfa is a counter-terrorist unit. They are deployed in 4 Russian cities, most being in Moscow. They are always training, and have constant service in the Caucasus.
2) Goup Vympel, formerly a sabotage unit, is also a counter terrorist as well as counter sabotage unit. They operate in a completely different environment from Alpha, however. They are considered Russia's last defense against terrorist attacks on the country.
3) SOS is the third group. To secretive for me to dig up much.
The
MVD has around 16 known units, most intended for use against terrorists, border security, and insurgents. I'll list a few of the notable groups
1) Vityaz (1st PSN VV MVD) This group is the reason you do not wear a red beret or Telnyashka in Russian gear. They are amongst the best of the best, less than 2 in 10 candidates for entry pass the training course. Scroll to the bottom of this page to see an article on how they earn their red beret listed amongst the resource links.
2) OSNAZ VV MVD Rus. This unit is one of the most decorated in Russia, with 800 being decorated for courage and six earning the title Hero of Russia since its creation in 1994. Sees active service in the Caucasus.
also part of the MVD, yet not of the 15, are OMON units (Cyrillic OMOH), can be considered a
very rough equivalent to SWAT, most often used as riot police. OMON, like Spetsnaz, can be a very generic term.
Camouflage of the U.S.S.R. and Russian Federation
Who uses what?Soviet/Russian camo is not a standardized thing. It is infact a very flexible aspect of their fighting forces. That is... if you're not a member of the Russian Federation Armed Forces proper. The standard issue for RFAF soldiers is the Flora pattern in an m7(?) cut. If you fall under the jurisdition of a ministry, the FSB or MVD, then you wear the camo you want to, according to your specific requirements. This applies to equipment as well. Spetsnaz operatives of all sorts use a wide ranging variety of camo, most use patterns of Russian origin that are commercialy produced. It is not unheard of to see Spetsnaz at the very least taking western equipment on a trial run (but they seem to prefer their own camo and equipment
)
A word about Russian/Soviet Camo. Every time a unit of camo leaves a factory, it is different in some way from its earlier iterations. Color shades vary slightly. It is believed this is intentional, because every unit shipped like this has its own seperate designation. Because of this it is a common thing to see variations amongst all camo patterns, yet as a whole the differnces are negligible enough to not warrant a seperate name.
Patterns
FloraFlora is the pattern used today by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. While officially a Soviet pattern, it did not enter wide use until 1994, as inherrited by the RF. It is similar to U.S. Woodland, but... not really. It is used by the Navy, VDV, and Armed forces. If you're a soldier in the regular sense, you wear it.
LesLes was introduced in 1992. It is a commercially made woodland camouflage that is used primarly by members of the MVD, but also sees use by members of the GRU, and some individuals within the Russian Federation Armed Forces (RFAF from here on)
Tiger
Introduced in 1994, this four colored pattern is similar to U.S. tiger stripe patterns. Used mostly by Vityaz, and other units of the MVD
KLMK
A pattern developed in the late 60s by the U.S.S.R. It is a simple yet effective two color pattern. Made famous by the movie Red Dawn and its best guess knock off camo. It was originaly printed onto a sort of jumpsuit overalls meant to be worn over other clothing. It looks digital, but probably isn't. If it is, it's probably the first. Nicknamed Sun Bunnies by Soviet Troops. Used by the VDV, GRU Spetsnaz, KGB, and land forces of the USSR. The uniform is reversible, some theorize that the reverse side is intended as an early counter to night vision.
Berezka/Beryozka/BirchVery similar to the KLMK pattern, yet very different. This Commercialy produced camo is also of two colors, yet is darker and non reversible. introduced in the year 2000, this camo is used by units of the FSB and MVD
PartizanThis Commercialy produced pattern first appeared in 2004, being prominent in the Beslan hostage crisis. It was worn by members of the FSB's Spetsgruppa Al'fa. Partizan is a four color patern similar to SS-Eichenlaubmuster. This pattern is reversible, the reversee side being subdued in color, probably intended for drier evnironments.
Russian Digital/Digital FloraA Russian Digital camo pattern has recently been unveiled, and announced to be the planned replacemnt for Flora. Ideally the RFAF will fully replace Flora by 2011, but whether that is possible or not remains to be seen. I myself hear Russians laugh at it. This has recently become available for purchase.
On the Color RedJust as you would not walk down the street wearing a medal of honor, green beret, or any patches that you did not earn, the color red is a color to be respected in Russian Milsim. Red Telnyaskhas (striped sailor shirts) and Red Berets are exclusive articles, worn only by those members of Spetsnaz group Vityaz who have earned them. Members of Vityaz have gone to the Red-alliance forums specifically to ask that these things not be worn by anyone in Russian gear. To see what must be done to earn the red beret, travel here
http://www.red-alliance.net/forum/index.php?topic=2449.0 =D>
Misc.The above camo patterns are printed onto several uniform cuts, depending on who is using them or who you the user are buying them from. The two prominent cuts you'll find for sale on the internet are the M7 cut, used by the RFAF and most others within the various ministries, and the Bekas cut, a commercial cut for commercial patterns made by SPLAV.
Major Gear producers for the market are SPLAV and SPOSN. there are many smaller factories in Russia, finding a way to buy their stuff is the problem
Weaponry of the U.S.S.R and Russian Federationthese are basic descriptions... please don't hurt me if you don't agree, i'm not a gun nutThe KalashnikovsAK-47 (Avtomat Kalashnikova 1947) C. 1949
One of the worlds first true assault rifles, and the legend from which the rest of this article springs. Designed by the tank driver Mikhail Kalasnikov, and intended to be the greatest German killer the world had yet seen, this gun entered service in 1949, and has endured well into this new millennium. Chambered for a 7.62x39mm round, with a 600rpm ROF, the gun excels in closer ranged fighting. It is known worldwide for its durability, ease of use, simplicity, and accuracy issues, all to be debated by forumites worldwide.
Variants: AKS-47: an AK-47 with a downward folding stock intended for use by vehicle crews and paratroopers.
AKM (Avotmat Kalashnikova Modernizirovaniyy) C. 1959
When one sees an "AK-47" anywhere in the world, chances are it is not an AK-47. The AKM is the most widespread model of AK. It is everywhere, every country more than likely has a box or two of them somewhere. It entered service in 1959 as a replacement for the AK-47. It was an improved version, optimized for mass production, improved accuracy, and ease of use. One can tell the difference between an AK-47 and an AKM by noting the ridged (stamped as opposed to milled) upper reciever of the AKM, the black charging handle, a shorter gas block, and a polymer pistol grip.
Variants: AKMS: The AKM version of the AKS-47
AK-74 (Avtomat Kalashnikova 1974) C. 1974
A modernization of the AKM, the rifle currently used by the Russian Armed forces, first adapted for service in the Soviet Unions war in Afghanistan. The major difference between the AKM and AK-74 is the round the guns fires. The AK-74 is chambered to a 5.45x39mm cartridge. This change resulted in improved accuracy and reliability. Physical differences between the AKM and AK-74 are greater than those between the AKM and AK-47. The AK-74 has a completely redesigned stock, hand guard, and gas cylinder.
Variants: AKS-74: variant identical in function to the AKMS, save for the use of a side folding stock instead of an underfolding stock.
AKS-74U: Introduced in 1979, this carbine version of the AKS-74 is intended for tight quarters. It suffers a decrease in range and a lack of bayonet capabilites for increased manueverability in close quarters. A supressed BS-1 grenade launcher was developed for this gun. intended for use by Vehicle Crews, Special Operations units, and Paratroopers.
AK-74M (AK-74 Modernizirovaniyy) C. 1991
Accepted as the new service rifle of the U.S.S.R. and the Russian Federation, the AK-74M's major improvements are all implemented in the stock. Made of a new polyamide material, this stock folds to the side, like the AKS-74 and AKS-74U variants of the AK-74.
AK-101 C.1994
This rifle is an improved version of the AK-74M intended for export. Chambered for 5.56x44 NATO, and built for improved accuracy and reliability
AK-103 C. 1994
A modernized version of the AKM chambered to the 7.62x39mm round. Similar in build to the AK-74M.
Light Machine GunsRPK (Ruchnoy Pulemyot Kalashnikova [handheld kalshnikov machine gun]) c. 1961
THis Light Machine gun is at the most basic, an AKM on steroids. It has several major differences in its design, yet part interchangability between it and the AKM is signifigant. The RPK has a new, longer, heavier barrel with increased heat capacity, which is permanantly fixed to the reciever. A folding bipod is included, and the gas block was redesigned. The forarm is made of thicker wood and the buttstock is larger. The gun accepts drum, box, and "banana" AK mags.
Variants: The RPK has several variants and updates. The RPKS has a side folding wooden stock, intended for use by paratroopers. Of note are the RPK-74s, updated versions of the RPK with changes similar to their AK-74 counterparts.
Sniper Rifles
Dragunov SVD (Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova) C. 1963
Designed by Evgeny Dragunov for the U.S.S.R., the SVD is a semi automatic gas operated rifle. Similarities to the AKM are mostly cosmetic in nature. Chambered for the 7.62x54mmR round, this rifle has a muzzle velocity of 2,624 fps and a maximum range of 1,300 meters. The rifle is fed by a 10 round detachable magazine. The rifle is most often used with the PSO-1 telescopic sights,and variants exist for night sight mounting.
Variants: SVDS: This variant, developed in 1990, is intended for use by paratroopers. It comes with a side folding stock similar to that of the AK-74S
PistolsAt this time I know of no Russian/Soviet airsoft pistols worth speaking of, so I'll update this section if it ever comes to be...
Final Words I hope you learned much! The guide will get bigger in time, so if you're interested check back for more. The information above is only the very beginning, variety exists that rivals that of traditional equipment and defeats any attempts to describe it completely in one place. I have have only scratched the top of the modern Russian Federation, dig deeper and the entire eastern bloc and its history will keep you busy for a lonnnnnng time. Thanks for reading.
Linkage to information most powerful!Informationhttp://www.red-alliance.net/forum/ The motherpage. These people have a wealth of information that is beyond compare. It makes this article look like a joke, they'd probably laugh too. Have fun
http://www.sovietairborne.com/AirborneMainPage.html A good site for Soviet VDV info
http://www.kamouflage.net/country/00156.php?page=2 Camouflage, all of it. any pattern, any country.
http://www.avtomats-in-action.com/http://redforces.com/catalog/Materials/Manuals/field_manual.html Russian field manual PDFs.
http://www.red-alliance.net/forum/index.php?topic=2449.0 How one earns the red beret.
StoresFor now I have two that I trust and recommend. Others exist, but these two are the best run IMO.
http://www.redsoldier.com/http://www.redforces.com/catalog/index.php
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