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Russia’s armed forces will not only be stronger in future. They will also be better dressed. A couture collection of new military uniforms has been shown to President Putin by Valentin Yudashkin, the country’s famous clothing designer, at a fashion parade in the Defence Ministry headquarters.
Chisel-jawed servicemen and leggy female models stood to attention in chic fur collars, stylish peaked caps and goldembroidered tunics as Mr Putin, the Commander-in-Chief, examined the dashing new look on Monday.
He remained impassive while Mr Yudashkin and Vladimir Isakov, the Deputy Defence Minister, explained the finer details of the uniforms, but was said later to have approved the designs for general introduction.
The uniforms will get their first public display in Red Square on May 9 in a parade marking the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War. Controversially, Mr Putin is also reviving the Soviet-era practice of parading tanks and nuclear missiles on the square past Lenin’s tomb.
Fashion commentators said that the uniforms revived some of the glamour of Russia’s imperial tradition in combination with its recent Soviet history. Izvestia newspaper said that the designs recalled the Hussar style of 19th-century Russia. The Soviet Red Star, which Mr Putin restored in 2002 along with the former Soviet anthem, has been replaced by the imperial double-headed eagle.
The defence ministry spent £2 million to commission the designs of new uniforms for the army, navy and air force. Full-scale production is expected to begin this year, at an estimated cost of about £300 million.
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As a former owner of two Ladas, I look forward to the revival and reintroduction of Russian cars to the West - will they be any better than the Indian & Chinese models?
Martin Charlesworth , Rotherham , Euphoria
Indeed, very cool uniforms! But the real significance is the return of the double-headed eagle; a profound shift from the double-edged atheism of the Soviets, back to the Christianity of the Tsar. Even the Russians don't understand why they were obliged to switch 90 years ago; but it seems that Putin now feels it in his gut, that it is the right thing to do. Personally, I am impressed.
Howard, Johannesburg, RSA
Very cool uniforms - good for the Russians!
Dan, Winchester, Hants
I am very thankful for this comment, I longly wanted to say the same. What shell this stressing against Russia lead to? Shell we learn to love US and all it´s culture without drought and hesitation?
I think we( in the so called WEST ) do not behave according to the ideals we claimed to fight for.
We have forgotten how to spell " intellectual integrity ".
Best regards
EDZ
EDZ, Munich /Germany,
Housing is not so fine in british army too, I've heard...
Leonard, alghero,
"Hmm.. to raise morale.. how about an end to bullying and abuse of the conscripts by higher ranks especially officers, proper pay and housing."
-
Housing is not so fine in the british army too, I've heard...
Leonard, alghero,
I sympathize with Victor. Everything is antagonistic. While I'm philosophically libertarian and no big fan of the state, I don't see why we're being drawn into the us-and-them game with Russia. I understand the disgusting motivations behind the demonization of all muslim peoples but I don't get why we're being manipulated to hate Russia. If anything, we need to be examining how they climbed out of the chaos of the collapse of the soviet empire, especially we Americans. We're looking at tough times the next 15 years at the very least.
Rich Hill, Prospect Park, PA, USA
I surrender!
Frank Upton, Solihull,
Gentlemen,
Don`t you notice that everything happening in Russia stipluates irritation and anger. Army dresses... what next... Russian automobiles? We eyewitness only negative in you
press.
We have a lot of positive about the West in mass media where we can find something useful and interesting from.
Sorry, you have no access to our mass media or simply ignore it, you prefer to read something terrible about Russia and our cold and bear skins wondering around the streets.
We pity you.
Victor, Moscow,
If Brits are being urged to love a man in uniform again, why shouldn't the Russians follow suit?
lc green, aldershot, uk
Hmm.. to raise morale.. how about an end to bullying and abuse of the conscripts by higher ranks especially officers, proper pay and housing.
Ragga, Litch, Loip