Russian soldiers to trade foot wraps for socks

January 14, 2013 @ 2:17 pm

MOSCOW (AP) - A Russian official says it's time for the nation's soldiers to switch from foot wraps to socks.

Since the late 17th century, Russian soldiers have been using wraps, rectangular strips of cloth that are carefully wrapped around their bare feet to prevent blisters from tall heavy boots with no laces.

But Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who took the post two months ago, said he was surprised to learn that some soldiers are still using the wraps, called "portyanki" in Russian, and told them to use socks instead.

At a televised meeting with military officers Monday, he said, "In 2013, or at least by the end of 2013, we must forget the word portyanki."

Czar Peter the Great adopted the custom from the Dutch army in the late 17th century.


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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  • heyjim55 wrote...
    Wraps
    January 14, 2013 10:14 pm
    I found this story amusing using wraps instaed of socks in this day an age. But it is the Russian army after all, they still treat their soldiers like prisoners just as they did during the days of Stalin. Modernizing the military in Russia is moving like sap down a tree not very fast. I have a relative that was in the Russian army and he told me that he packed pots and pans from home so they could cook food while they were in the field training. The army did not provide anything for them including food sometimes. The officers would take what good food there was and leave the rest for the conscripts which they did not treat very well.
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  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    Reminds me of classic SNL faux commercial
    January 14, 2013 10:21 pm
    For the new Mc D's in Moscow promotion: "and for limited time offer, Soap!"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }