EMR camouflage explained

Caption:	Most common variant of E.M.R. seen on V.K.B.O. suits
Design Date:	2008
Designer:	15 Central Research Institute, Russian Ministry of Defence
Manufacturer:	AO Voentorg BTK Group
EMR Camouflage
Origin:	Russia
Type:	Military camouflage pattern
Wars:	War in Donbas Syrian civil war Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation Russo-Ukrainian War
Production Date:	2008–present
Variants:	Leto (summer) Sever (northern region)
Used By:	See Users

E.M.R. ; or Universal Camouflage Colourway in English,^[1] is a military camouflage pattern in use by the Russian Armed Forces. It is sometimes referred to by the unofficial nicknames RUSPAT,^[2] ^[3] Tetris,^[3] Tsifra^[4] and Digital Flora.^[5] EMR camouflage is the standard camouflage pattern of the Russian Military's V.K.B.O. All-Season Uniform.^[6] ^[7]

EMR is a single camouflage pattern, developed at 15 Central Research Institute of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation as a universal pattern. Depending on the color, it can be adapted to a variety of terrain conditions with good camouflage properties. It's used as the main pattern of the Ratnik combat system.^[8]

The Armed Forces of Belarus uses it as their standard camouflage. However, it's believed that the Belarusian version of the EMR has a slightly different color scheme.

The EMR has also been adopted by a number of Russian-backed partially-recognised states, militias and paramilitary forces.

History

The camouflage appeared in 2008 after a fundamental decision was made to change Flora. Initially, it was assumed that since "Flora" roughly corresponds to the American Woodland, which in the US Armed Forces was changed to digital camouflages, then the Russian Armed Forces should keep up with this process. Full-scale adoption began in 2011.^[9]

The creation of the EMR was heavily influenced by the German Flecktarn camouflage,^[10] the developers of which managed to "combine the incompatible": small spots that perform an imitation function are combined in this color scheme so that they form groups of large spots that perform a deforming function.

The developers of EMR followed the same path, taking into account the results of studies that showed the effectiveness of extremely small ("pixel") spots as constituent elements of the texture pattern.^[11]

In 2016, Russian troops in Syria were reported to be wearing a desert variant of the EMR.^[3]

It was reported in 2017 that Russian soldiers in the National Guard would discontinue using EMR and instead, use Izlom or Moss-based camouflage patterns instead.^[12]

The EMR uniform kit is also used for some ceremonial purposes . However, significant variations not covered by the official uniform code exist when used for ceremonial purposes including; white parade gloves, white leather buckled parade belts, white aiguillettes, coloured branch shoulder boards, branch-distinctive lapel badges, pressed-collar buttoned jackets as opposed to the zipper jacket used in the standard uniform kit, berets used as the main headdress as opposed to caps or peaked caps.

Occasionally jackboots are issued for foot columns and colour guards wearing EMR. Other variations, such as office uniforms, by different manufacturers, such as Splav, not covered by the official uniform code are tolerated.

Design

The basic uniform is as follows:

The straight cut jacket has a standing collar, is closed by a central zipper, has two breast patch pockets with flaps with hidden button closures, the back has two vertical pleats, there are patch pockets on the upper sleeves with large velcro patches (earlier versions did not have the velcro patches), the sleeves have elbow pads. The bottom of the sleeves have adjustment tabs. The jacket can be worn tucked into or outside the trousers.
the straight cut combat trousers have a one-piece waistband with seven belt loops and are closed by a button and a zipper. The trousers have two side slash pockets and there are large pleated patch pockets with flaps on the outside thighs. The pocket openings are angled for easier access. The back of the trousers have slash and flap pockets with flaps closed by a hidden button. The trousers have reinforcing pads in the knees while there is an extra layer of fabric in the seat.^[13] ^[14]

Several variations of this pattern have been produced, they are as follows:

Summer is a pixelated version of black, brown, and dark green pixels on a light green background.
"Desert" is a desert version with beige, darkish beige and brown pixels on a sandy background.
Sever is an arctic camo with light gray and dark gray pixels on a white background.
"City" is an urban version of it.

Full-scale adoption began in 2011.^[15]

According to TsNIITochMash, the fabric used in EMR is waterproof, flame-proof, tear-resistant and breathable.^[1]

It is reported that EMR camouflage fabrics have been made in China due to it being cheap.^[16] Depending on the manufacturer, there may be other EMR pattern variants.^[10]

Users

: Armed Forces of Belarus, with slightly different color scheme.^[11] ^[17] They were first seen with paratroopers from the 38th Airmobile Brigade.
Belize: EMR clones adopted by Belize Defense Force in October 2011 to replace their non-digital camouflage uniforms.^[18]
: Adopted by the Russian Armed Forces^[19] to replace Flora camouflage uniforms.^[10]
: Used by Republican Guard and special forces.^[20]
Ukraine: captured EMR gear has been used by used by the AFU Since 2022.
Tajikistan: Used by the Tajik Army.