Reference Photo for Graphic Novel Concept

A surprisingly late snowfall made for a good photo shoot for reference for a graphic novel in the works. More on that soon...

World News - Russia's Flexing Muscles

[Cold War Part Deux]

Since the Russian challenge against Georgia in 2008 Vladimir Putin has been making some huge pushes for ramping up the Russian military backbone. For months reports have come in about a high presence of Russian military aircraft repeatedly buzzing around their neighbor's airspace. Production of tanks, armored vehicles and weapons is all up and even writer Nikolas K. Gvosdev entitled his recent November 2014 article on the subject: The Bear Awakens: Russia's Military Is Back.

Royal Netherlands Air Force intercepted this Russian Sukhoi

Today, there is an agreed-upon ceasefire between the Ukrainian government and the Pro-Russian rebels, but that hasn't stopped the violence. According to a recent UN report over 4,300 people have died, with almost one million displaced since the ignition of the conflict back in April. 

Gone are the days of thinking of Russia as a broke and weak state living in the shadow of its former glory. Putin's push towards a modern military infrastructure hasn't been empty talk. "The rhetoric has been matched by a concurrent allocation of resources; Russia is now engaged in its largest military buildup since the collapse of the Soviet Union more than two decades ago, with major increases in defense spending budgeted each year to 2020."¹

Russia's hand in retaking ex-Soviet satellite states

These are scary times as very soon Russia will be once again become a major player in the military super power game. "The growing size and sophistication of the yearly joint maneuvers with the Chinese army and navy have all worked to resurrect the image of Russia as a military threat."¹

While people are concerned about what new smartphone to get for the holidays, around the world this is happening...

Just be prepared for more news about Russia increasing their border strength and showing their military might in a number of unpleasant ways. It really does seem like Putin is planning on returning the Russian Federation back to the powerhouse days of the Soviet Union. So is the world really ready for another Cold War?





¹ Nikolas K. Gvosdev (2014). The Bear Awakens: Russia's Military Is Back. The National Interest.

Ukraine - Freedom Fighters

You want to know what freedom fighters actually look like?

World News - Ukrainian Turmoil

Pay close attention to Ukraine in the coming days and weeks...

"The situation took an even more grim turn when a group of radicals that were taking part in a “peaceful march” of the opposition attempted to storm Ukrainian parliament. The violence spread, despite previous arrangements of a ceasefire between the opposition and the government."¹

Radical group clashing with Riot Police in Kiev, Ukraine

Men whom Ukraine says are Russian naval troops have blocked roads

Links:

• Ukraine crisis: 'Russians' occupy Crimea airport
• From a sea of flags to rivers of blood: How Kiev's peaceful protests turned into Maidan mayhem 1
   

Change of Uniform Styles

[Uniform and Camouflage]

For the most part I've stuck with simple OD green and woodland camo BDU's - very simplistic, easy and economical - but also VERY common. Finally I am looking to expand and try something different from the crowd. I've done my fair share of German Flecktarn, Swiss Alpenflage to compliment or switch it up from the traditional U.S. Woodland, but now I'm curious to see what else is out there that I could utilize. 

I've often found myself drawn to Soviet and Russian camo patterns, but they tend to be more or less unusable in my surrounding environments - like the Russian OMON (Otryad Mobilniy Osobogo Naznacheniya\Special Purpose Mobile Unit) uniform, which is more of a snow-oriented camouflage. Sure we have winter here, but it would better to have something that could be used all-year-round.

Russian OMON Camo pattern

There's a number of other patterns the Russians use and for obvious reasons - their area of operation just nationally is so far spread and covers many different terrain and weather types.

After a bit of research I have decided to pursue a particular loadout used by the Russian MVD due to its durability and coloration. In the area I live where we receive the breadth all four seasons and have a great amount of woodland and forests I believe this uniform would suit me best. Only challenge is finding it at a reasonable price. With less common BDUs you almost always run into price. These BDUs run anywhere from $150-$200 and I know they're worth it, but damn that's a pretty penny to pay.

Russian MVD with Gorka E BDUs