The costumes

The eminent Professor Vodka analyses the costumes of the series’ main characters for you and compares them with the original uniforms.

Agonskaya #1


General note regarding this and all the other women’s outfits in Red Alert 3: this outfit is by no means (nor has it ever been) part of the standard issue for the Russian or Soviet armed forces. As with Natasha’s outfit, it is possible to find a similar outfit on certain adult websites. Here is an example (the young lady is not included with the costume, sorry):


Let’s now move on to the headgear: the green beret is worn by border troops. Given that Zhana is supposed to be in the air force, this is a mistake. However, there is no such beret in the Soviet air force. A blue cap would have been more true to life but would surely have clashed with the rest of the uniform. Here is a picture of the green beret worn by Russian border guards:


And the cap (in Russian: ‘pilotka’) of the Russian Air Force:


Let’s now take a look at the badges. Everything here is incorrect: you can see a Soviet badge sewn right at the bottom of the ‘mini-dress’. Not only is this position rather odd, but it’s also the same insignia as Dasha’s – that is, the signals insignia. So it doesn’t match. The same goes for the insignia on the sleeve: the insignia is that of an integrated command section within a signals regiment (it’s a very rare insignia, by the way – a tip for collectors: it’s even been impossible to find you a picture of the real thing).

This is a far cry from the Air Force insignia, which would have been a more sensible choice. However, given that the latter bears a fair resemblance to the Japanese flag, this does help to avoid confusion. Zhana wears this insignia at the bottom of her dress (Soviet military signals corps) :


This one (Red Alert 3 – Air Force) would have been a better choice but could also have caused confusion due to its resemblance to the Imperial Japanese flag:


Finally, on the other sleeve is the game’s traditional Soviet insignia. Nothing to report on that. As for rank, it is, so to speak, non-existent. Judging by what she has on her shoulders, it would appear to be the rank of “Recruit”… A bit of a shame for a Commander. Medals and badges: in certain images or shots, if you look very closely, you can see that Zhana is wearing two authentic Soviet medals. She is also wearing a znak (a small medal) and two badges. All of this is very fleeting and difficult to make out, as the following two image snippets show:


And here:


As you can see, none of this is very clear, which is why what follows isis merely a hypothesis.

As for the medals, one might assume they are reused from Krukov’s first costume. Namely:

> Medal for 15 Years of Impeccable Service.

> Medal marking the 50th Anniversary of the Founding of the Red Army.


However, there are no shots in which the medallions can be clearly seen, and there may be an unseen error. Nevertheless, the ribbons definitely correspond to the medals mentioned above.

The badges:

> The first badge, situated above the medals, is simply impossible to identify. Too often hidden by Zhana’s blonde hair and practically invisible in all the other images available, it is therefore impossible to identify.

> On the other hand, the second badge, situated on the left-hand side of the uniform, is identifiable. It is a fifth-class badge of excellence for Soviet Air Force pilots. Finally, some good news, as Zhana is supposed to belong to the Soviet Air Force, which is consistent with this badge.

The real badge looks like this:


The ‘znak’ is a sort of semi-medal. It is less formal than a proper medal but more significant thana badge. Here, Zhana is wearing a znak that is very difficult to identify. Judging by its shape and colour, I suppose it is a member of the Soviet Union’s submarine crew.[](/uploads/cncsaga/Red Alert 3/sp-les-costumes-2/img-12.jpg)

Ifwe were to stop there, that would be another mistake. Take this with a pinch of salt, however, as there are other znakis that look very similar and have the same shape.

In short, Zhana’s costume is far more complex than it appears at first glance. Composed of numerous elements that are often invisible and unnecessary , it is riddled with errors and other lapses in realism. However, we mustn’t forget that this is just a game, so we won’t hold it against them. After all, it is still the Soviet women’s costume that features the most authentic Soviet elements...

Belova #1


General notes on Moskvin’s second costume: purist Russophiles are likely to be outraged when they see this costume.

The jacket itself is very basic.but certainly not Soviet (on the right sleeve there is a Velcro strip for attaching a ‘scratch’-type badge, which exists in the French or US armies but has never been seen in the USSR). This type of jacket can be found cheaply in any military surplus or hunting shop but remains quite rare in the USSR (a few technicians have fairly similar jackets, but their use is marginal).

Furthermore, apart from the fact that walking about in a bright red bra under this jacket is also rather far-fetched (this is, of course, an attempt to stay in line with the sexy style of the other women’s costumes) one can, with considerable effort, tear one’s gaze away from that part of the young lady’s anatomy to try and make out other details and identify them.

And that’s where the disaster lies. hideous red stripes adorn theuniform; the Soviet pin and the badge bearing the game’s logo are in completely inappropriate positions. A quick glanceat her shoulders reveals a strange red and yellow Red Guard-admittedly, but one completely unknown to the Soviet armed forces-which appears to be attached to the jacket with a sort of red adhesive tape. Finally, we find the same strange badge with three stars that was already on Mr Moskvin’s second outfit.

(Note: Any further information regarding the rank or the badge would be welcome).

Finally, let’s look up at the young lady’s headgear. This type of cap was not issued by theSoviet Army, which preferred flat caps, large caps or fur hats. However, it resembles a Chinese or Cuban cap. As it’s still within the Communist bloc, so it’s acceptable.

Here is an image of a standard Chinese military cap and another Cuban model:



The commemorative ribbon is the only original, realistic and plausible element in the costume.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution of 1917.


In short, let’s give our female Moskvin a fair assessment when it comes to her costume. Little realism, plenty of errors, very few original elements. In short, a mishmash and cobbled-together. Fortunately, the young lady is charming and players tend to look at things other than her clothes...

Bingham #1

Note: as I’m not particularly well-versed in Western military history, this costume – along with all the Allied costumes – will be less detailed, less well explained and based on more approximations than the Soviet costumes.-les-costumes-4/img-1.jpg)

General notes: Generally speaking, Allied uniforms are much more understated than Soviet ones. Apart from a few insignia ribbons or badges, there are relatively few details to embellish them. This is certainly the case here.

The uniform worn by Bingham is a classic blue US Air Force officer’s uniform, decorated on the collar with pins bearing the game’s Allied logo, as well as a patch featuring the same logo on one of the sleeves, which makes sense. The cap is also that of a US Air Force Officer (the logo has been replaced with the Allied one, which also makes sense). Bingham is supposed to be British, not American (but given that the Americans dominate the alliance, this is understandable):

The US Air Force officer’s uniform in real life:


An original US Air Force officer’s cap:


It is worth noting, however, a minor error regarding his rank. Bingham is supposed to be a British Field Marshal (equivalent to the French rank of Maréchal). However, he wears three silver stars on his shoulders, which corresponds to the American rank of Lieutenant-General. Perhaps this is once again due to the American dominance amongst the Allies.

The American rank of Lieutenant-General, as worn by Bingham:


The British rank of Field Marshal:


The service ribbons feature an impressive array of ribbons. The huge paradox lies in the fact that all these service ribbons are Soviet. Only a connoisseur would, of course, realise this, but it’is a bit of a shame for the commander of the Allied Forces.

In order from left to right, row by row starting from the top:

> Order of the Red Banner.

> Order of the Red Star.

> Combat Service Medal.

> Order of Glory.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Red Army.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Red Army.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Red Army.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 60th anniversary of the formation of the Red Army.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 20th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 30th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (worn upside down on the uniform).

> Commemorative Medal marking the 40th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War (worn upside down on the uniform).

> Soviet Armed Forces Veteran’s Medal.

> Veteran of Labour Medal.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 30th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (worn upside down on the uniform).

> Commemorative Medal marking the 100th anniversary of Lenin’s birth.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 20th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

> Medal for Victory over Germany.

> Medal for the Capture of Königsberg.

> Order of the Red Star.

Here is a clearer illustration of these ribbons:

In short, it remains fairly credible with a blue American uniform, perfect for representing the Allies. However, this only works if we assume that the United States plays a dominant role in the alliance; if he were to retain his British nationality, it would not be representative of the character, especially as there are numerous minor inaccuracies in this costume. The most glaring of these is the presence of Soviet-style ribbons, but once again this isn’t really a big deal as most people don’t pay any attention to it.

Cherdenko #1


General notes on the suit worn by our dear Cherdenko in the opening cutscene of Red Alert 3. At this point, he is not yet First Secretary and, judging by his suit, we can assume he is merelyjust an ordinary Officer. Here, he is wearing aSoviet Army officer’s uniform, which is, all things considered, fairly standard. Apart from a ribbon bar, there are few accessories adorning the uniform.

Cherdenko wears a genuine Soviet Army officer’s uniform like the one below (some details may differ):


Among the details, we can see the traditional badge featuring the game’s Soviet logo on the left sleeve (in the correct position, then) and a few small decorative touches, such as the pin bearing the same Soviet logo on the collar, which also looks very good (although a second pin placed alongside it would have been in better taste). Nevertheless, there are a few minor errors of little consequence. The rank doesn’t correspond to anything (or perhaps he’s a Recruit, which is rather unlikely; he should be a Colonel). Below is the Russian rank of Colonel (polkovnik), which would have been more appropriate:


The collar tabs, on the other hand, are an undeniable mistake. Indeed, in some close-ups of the cutscene, the symbol is quite clearly visible. It is the symbol for military communications. So far, nothing too bothersome; the problem is thatthis symbol is normally only found on black plates, not red ones. That said, the red plates do add a little something extra to the costume compared to black ones. The original Soviet military communications collar tab:


Service Ribbons: a close-up of Cherdenko’s service ribbon bar. Note that the artificial lighting used during filming slightly alters the colour of the ribbons.


It is also worth noting that this plaque is almost certainly a fake, or more accurately, a replica intended for tourists or uninformed initiates. Theofficial order for wearing the ribbons is completely disregarded (here, it’s rather chaotic). Furthermore, it is quite rare to have so many decorations at once, unless one has been particularly valiant and courageous – which, in any case, is not really the case with our dear Cherdenko.

In order from left to right, row by row starting from the top:

> Commemorative Medal marking the 60th anniversary of the creation of the Red Army.

> Order of Suvorov – 1st Class.> Order of Kutuzov – 1st class.

> Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky – 1st class.> Order of the Red Star.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 100th anniversary of Lenin’s birth.

> Ushakov Medal.> Combat Service Medal.

> Border Guard Distinction Medal.

> Civil Defence Medal.> Nakhimov Medal.

> Medal for Victory over Germany.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 20th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

> Medal for Victory over Japan.

> Commemorative Medal for the 800th Anniversary of the Founding of Moscow.

> Commemorative Medal for the 30th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (worn upside down on the uniform).

Here is a clearer illustration of these ribbons:


In short: apart from the usual errors and the traditional minor lapses in taste, this costume is very understated and, in that respect, quite realistic.

Cherdenko #2


General Notes: He wears this uniform after being sworn in as the new General Secretary. This is the service uniform of a Marshal of the Soviet Armed Forces. For once, it is very consistent with the character’s role, as he is supposed to be the supreme commander of the armed forces. The colour and details are accurate. A plus point.

Here is the original uniform (details may differ):


Similarly, the rank insignia on this uniform is correct. Itindeed a single large golden star, as is typical for Marshals. However, given the character’s role, using the prestige variant of this rank would have been more appropriate. The rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union, as it would have been most fitting:


But of course, this costume isn’t perfect. Indeed, whilst the collar pins bearing the game’s logo might just about pass, the same cannot quite be said for the Soviet badges situated at the bottom of the collar in question. This type of badge is usually found on headgear (such as Officers’ caps, berets or ushanka hats). Here, therefore, the placement is rather odd and inappropriate. But that said, it’s nothing out of the ordinary. Here are some clearer images of these details:


The medal on this uniform is barely visible unless the character is standing very straight with their arms by their sides. It is situated in a completely absurd position compared to reality. Furthermore, this medal is an undeniable anomaly: it consists ofa ribbon from the Veteran of Labour Medal and a medallion from a commemorative medal marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Red Army.

It is a hybrid combination of these two original medals:



The badge can be glimpsed rather discreetly on our dear Secretary’s uniform. It is the same as the one seen on Zhana’s uniform, namely a fifth-class badge of excellence from the Soviet Air Force. Although this detail is authentic, there’sdoesn’t really belong on this uniform, but at least it looks good on it.

Here’s a glimpse of the original badge:


The znak is a recycled element; the znak (a sort of small decoration, less formal than a medal but more significant than a badge) is the same as the one seen on Oleg’s first costume. It is therefore a ‘znak’ of excellence awarded by the military forces of the Ministry of theInterior. Its presence on such a costume is a little strange, but it remains plausible nonetheless.

Here is a closer look:


In short, an interesting costume at first glance and with no major apparent anomalies. A closer examination reveals several minor inaccuracies, but the costume still passes very well for an untrained observer. It is also worth noting the reuse of elements from other costumes.

Fedorovich #1


General comments: what can one say about Dasha’s outfit, apart from the fact, of course, that it’s made of leather and outrageously short and low-cut? It’s undoubtedly based on a sexy ‘adult’ outfit to which a few small details have been added to make it look more Soviet. There is, however, one small detail on this outfit that’s particularly pleasing whenyou’re a realism buff. It’s the badge that our dear Dasha wears on her right cuff. It’s actually a genuine Soviet badge used by military signal corps! Oh! A miracle! Dasha happens to be a liaison officer and therefore serves in the signals corps. And what’s more, it’s in exactly the right place on her uniform! A plus point for immersion, even if it’s surely just a happy coincidence.

Soviet military signals insignia:


The badge on the other sleeve (the left one) doesn’t actually exist, of course; it’s thebadge depicting the game’s Soviet symbol. But this isn’t a problem, as on a real uniform a similar badge would also have been placed there; so, for once, the badges are in the right place.

As for the headgear, it’sa cap. However, no Soviet cap model is made of leather. The one that bears the closest resemblance appears to be the Soviet submariner’s cap. So there’s no connection, but this makeshift cap goes well with the rest of the uniform and remains fairly credible. The pin on the capis in the correct position, so it remains very credible.

Here is a picture of a Soviet submariner’s cap (in Russian: ‘pilotka’):


It’s a shame there aren’t more details or a rank insignia. But never mind. In short, as far as Dasha is concerned, we can see that EALA has skilfully created an original costume for the game, with the aim ofdeliberately add a sexy touch. However, the inclusion of nice, realistic little details – such as the communications badge, which is in keeping with the character’s role in the game, and other details of this sort placed just right – helps to blend reality with the game’s imaginary world. Finally, it is worth noting that Dasha retains the same outfit in Red Alert 3 and its expansion (Red Alert 3: The Uprising).

Fuller #1

Note: as I am not particularly well-versed in Western military history, this uniform, along with all the Allied uniforms, will be less detailed, less well-explained and based on more approximations than the Soviet uniforms.


General notes: generally speaking, Allied uniforms are far less detailed than Soviet ones. This is very evident here; Warren wears onlya pair of fatigues with a few pins bearing the Allied logo on the collar, a beret and a ribbon bar, which we’ll examine in detail in the second part of this feature, as usual. It’s a shame there’s no visible rank insignia.

So let’s start with the combat trousers. These are BDU Ultra Force-style trousers in ‘urban blue sky’ camouflage (sometimes also called ‘blue woodland’). It should be noted that these trousersis not strictly speaking part of the standard issue in the US armed forces. It is sometimes found in certain US or British units and in some private security firms or mercenary companies, but it remains very rare as it is not very effective, even in urban environments. On the other hand, this type of camouflage is popular with some civilians who like to wear in camouflage as part of their everyday style. But here the choice is quite sensible as it matches perfectly with blue, which is the colour of the Allies.

Here is a genuine Ultra Force combat uniform in urban blue sky:


Let’s now move on to the beret. It is blue, which makes sense in the game as this is the colour of the Allies. A great many countries that are part of the Allied Forces use the blue beret in real life, but as Warren is supposed to be American, we’ll stick solely to the United States and the United Kingdom. In reality, the blue beret is not used very widely in the United States: either by the security forces or in certain military academies, but that’sto be about it. In contrast, it is a generic beret used by various units across the UK. Alternatively, one might also suggest that the Allies have adopted the colours of the blue beret worn by UN peacekeeping forces (which seems to be the case, as thisis the beret whose colour most closely matches the one worn by Warren.

Here is a blue beret:


The insignia ribbons here, on the other hand, are really the last straw! There’s a huge, almost unforgivable paradox! These insignia ribbons are certainly authentic and easily identifiable, but the problem is that they’re from… Soviet decorations! That’s right! So, a major problem! What’s more, it’s exactly the same badge as the one we saw on Krukov’s second uniform (I invite you to compare them for yourselves).

From left to right, row by row starting from the top:

> Order of the Patriotic War – 2nd class.

> Order of the Patriotic War – 2nd class.

> Order of the Red Star.

> Stalingrad Defence Medal.

> Kiev Defence Medal.

> Order of Glory.

> Commemorative Medal for the 20th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

> Commemorative Medal for the 30th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 40th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

> Medal for the Capture of Budapest.

> Medal for the Liberation of Prague.

> Veteran of Labour Medal.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Red Army.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 60th anniversary of the formation of theRed Army.

> Medal for Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War.

Here is a clearer illustration of these ribbons:

In short: the costume looks very authentic and fits the character’s personality well. The only mistake – and it’s a significant one – is the use of the ribbon patches. But weshall not hold this against the creator, as this is a game and, moreover, only a trained eye or a keen observer would spot the discrepancy.

Hill #1

Note: as’t being particularly well-versed in Western military history, this costume – along with all the Allied costumes – will be less detailed, less well explained and based on more approximations than the Soviet costumes.


General notes: here we have the worthy successor to Warren Fuller. TIt’s quite simple: it’s more or less the same uniform with few details: a cap instead of a beret, pins featuring the game’s Allied logo, and an Allied badge. Note also the presence of a ribbon bar, which differs from Warren’s. Finally, we must again note the absence of any rank insignia here.

Let’s go into the details, starting with the combat uniform. No issues there – it’s the same as Warren’s, namely an ‘Ultra Force BDU’ in ‘Urban Blue Sky’ Camouflage (sometimes called ‘Blue Woodland’), which is very rarely used by military units, even in the US, but which was surely chosen to match perfectly the bluish hue associated with the Allies.

Here is a genuine Ultra Force combat uniform in Urban Blue Sky:


Here, unlike Warren, Hill has opted to swap his blue beret for a military cap that matches his fatigues and therefore features the same Camouflage “Urban Blue Sky’ camouflage. It’s worth noting that this type of cap generally suits older military personnel very well and is often seen on the heads of veteran American Officers.

A typical American military cap in “Urban Blue Sky”:


The insignia, on the other hand, it would appear that the error has been corrected because, unlike on the Warren, the ribbons are not Soviet but are indeed American, which is good news for authenticity.


Please note that I have been able to identify almost all the ribbons, with the exception of the bottom row on the plaque (i.e. the last three ribbons). Please contact me if you can identify them or if you have any corrections to make.

In order from left to right, row by row starting from the top:

> US Navy Meritorious Service Medal.

> US Navy Good Conduct Medal.

> Military Organisation Award of Excellence.

> Order of Valour (Polish medal awarded to foreigners in the context ofjoint operations).

> Meritorious Service Medal from the Department of Defence.

> Distinguished Military Service Medal from theUS Air Force.

> Armed Combat Participation Ribbon.

> Unit Citation for the Order of Merit.

> US Air Force Combat Readiness Medal.

> US Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

> National Defence Medal.

> Iraq Campaign Medal.

> US Air Force Distinguished Service Medal.

> Overseas Counter-Terrorism Medal.

> Counter-Terrorism Medal.

> Unidentified.

> Unidentified.

> Unidentified.

Here is a clearer illustration of these ribbons:


In short: apart from a few minor oversights, this costume is almost perfect – credible and free of glaring errors.

Krukov #2


General notes: here he is wearing the perfect Soviet admiral’s uniform. And yes, his uniform is that of a senior naval officer. However, this is not his service uniform, but his parade uniform (Paradnyï Mundir). The cap matches the rest of the uniform perfectly – a Soviet admiral’s cap given the ‘Red Alert 3’ treatment.

Below are images of the original components of the uniform:



This costume features far more detail than the previous one, and we’ll analyse these in more detail later. However, there is one glaring anomaly: the rank. Compared to his first uniform, Krukov appears to have been promoted by no fewer than four ranks! This is quite simply impossible. No rank in the Red Army has six stars. Our General is therefore wearing a completely absurd rank. At best, he could have held four stars (General Armii = General of the Army) or one of the two highest ranks (Marshal of the Soviet Army or Admiral of the Soviet Fleet). Beloware images of the two ranks mentioned above, which would have been more appropriate:



The Medals: naturally, as was already the case with his first costume, these are mainly commemorative medals (‘chocolate medals’, as they’re known in military jargon). This is undoubtedly due to the difficulty of finding other medals that are rarer and more expensive. Finally, the medals aren’t worn in the correct order (Soviet military protocol was very strict on this point and issued a circular specifying the order in which the medals were to be worn). But once again, none of this is a major issue.

Véritables Médailles can formally identify these medals: on the left-hand side of the uniform, first row, from left to right:

> Medal for Participation in the Victory over Germany.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 30th Anniversary of the Founding of the Red Army.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Red Army.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 20th anniversary of the Victory over Germany.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Red Army (with medallion reversed).

> Commemorative Medal for the 20th Anniversary of the Victory over Germany.

> Medal for 20 Years of Impeccable Service.

> Medal for 15 Years of Impeccable Service.

> Medal for 10 Years of Impeccable Service.

> Combat Service Medal.

> Medal for Participation in the Victory over Germany.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Red Army.

Beloware the actual medals, arranged in the same order as on the uniform from left to right, in the first row on the left-hand side of the uniform (some are upside down or appear more than once; this is normal):



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Ribbon badges: a close-up of Krukov’s ribbon bar. Apologies for the poor quality of this image:


In order from left to right, row by row starting from the top:

> Order of the Patriotic War – 2nd class.

> Order of the Patriotic War – 2nd class.

> Order of the Red Star.

> Stalingrad Defence Medal.

> Kiev Defence Medal.

> Order of Glory.

> Commemorative Medal for the 20th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

> Commemorative Medal for the 30th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

> Commemorative Medal for the 40th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

> Medal for the Capture of Budapest.> Medal for the Liberation of Prague.

> Veteran of Labour Medal.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Red Army.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 60th anniversary of the formation of the Red Army.

> Medal for Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War.

Here is a clearer illustration of these ribbons:


Anomalies: the other medals on this costume are indisputable anomalies. They pair the wrong ribbons with the wrong medallions (a lack of consistency) and, furthermore, these medals all have very strange colours (a green Patriotic War Order, for example, which isis unheard of...). Anyway, let’s move on to the analysis of the single medal on the right-hand side of the uniform:

> Ribbon of the Commemorative Medal for the 50th Anniversary of the Founding of the Red Army + Order of theRed Star.

Second row of medals (the one that is rarely visible) (from left to right):

> Ribbon of the Commemorative Medal for the 50th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War + Order of Kutuzov.

> Ribbon of the Medal for the Capture of Königsberg + Unknown Medal (one thing is certain: it is neither Russian nor Soviet).

> Ribbon of the Medal for 15 Years of Impeccable Service + Order of Ushakov.

> Ribbon of the Commemorative Medal for the 40th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War + Order of Service to the Fatherland.

> Ribbon of the Medal for 15 Years of Impeccable Service + Order of the Patriotic War.

> Ribbon of the Commemorative Medal for the 40th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War + Medal for Loyalty of the Don Cossacks.

The five medals comprising the second row are impossible to identify. Furthermore, at first glance, this appears to be anan anomaly. The ribbons are identifiable, but the shape of the medallions does not match, and they are too difficult to identify definitively.

In short, General Krukov’s second uniform is very impressive. But in fact, it is above all the incredible number of medals he wears that is so striking. Nevertheless, to the untrained eye, these medals serve their purpose: to give the General, a true veteran, an imposing air. Of course, there are numerous minor inaccuracies, but on the whole the costume is credible.

One last thing, for those who think that wearing so many medals isn’t very realistic, this veteran proves otherwise:


Moskvin #1


General comments: thereisn’t a great deal to say about Moskvin’s costume. It doesn’t seem to be a genuine Soviet costume, but rather a stand-in to create the illusion – and it works very well indeed. Any brown coat will do the trick. The Soviet garment that comes closest to it is the SOKI.

Here is a picture of the SOKI jacket:


The only real details adorning this costume are a bar of service ribbons and a medal. The other details are Soviet pins featuring the game’s logo on the collar and thethe game’s Soviet crest on the right sleeve (if we consider it a nationality badge, then it’s positioned correctly). It’s a shame there aren’t a few more badges, as seen on the other Commanders, nor a rank insignia, which would have added to the realism, as here we have plain epaulettesplain epaulettes. The absence of all these details relegates poor Moskvin to the rank of a mere Soldier. A shame for a Commander. But it’s not the end of the world either. And that’s it: nothing else!

The medals:

> There is only one medal on Moskvin’s uniform. This solitary medal, situated just below the ribbon bar, consists of a ribbon for the Commemorative Medal marking the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the Red Army anda medallion from a medal for 15 years’ impeccable service. This is therefore an anomaly.

It is a hybrid combination of these two original medals:



Ribbons: the ribbons are authentic and identifiable. There are ten of them. Some are slightly less visible than others, and the brightness of the photograph alters certain colours, making some of them difficult to identify. However, they can be recognised with a little concentration.

In order from left to right, row by row starting from the top:

> Medal for 15 Years of Impeccable Service.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 100th Anniversary of Lenin’s Birth.

> Order of Glory – 3rd Class.

> Commemorative Medal for the 20th Anniversary of the Victory over Germany.

> Veteran of Labour Medal.

> Commemorative Medal for the 30th Anniversary of the Founding of the Red Army.

> Commemorative Medal for the 50th Anniversary of the Founding of theRed Army.

> Commemorative Medal for the 60th Anniversary of the Formation of the Red Army.

> Medal for Participation in the Victory over Germany.

> Miners’ Glory Medal – 3rd Class.

Here is a clearer illustration of these ribbons:

In short: a simple costume that makes a good impression. It’s very convincing. Few details = fewer inconsistencies than with most other costumes. If it hadn’t been for the mistake with the medal, it would have been even better, but nobody’s perfect….

Moskvin #2


General notes: well, well, here’s a rather unusual uniform. One thing’s for sure, it’s not Russian. To be honest, it’s difficult to identify. The shape of the pockets is quite distinctive and is rather reminiscent of an East German model along the lines of this one:


Take this with a pinch of salt, though.

As for the rest, if we set aside the medal and the ribbon bar for the moment, the only logical detail is the Soviet pins bearing the game’s logo on the collar. Apart from that, the rest is rather lacklustre. The other pins on the top of the collar are very difficult to identify; they are not Soviet (perhaps they areGerman, like the uniform). As for the badge with the three stars, there’s nothing like that in the Soviet army and I don’t even know what it might be – perhaps a rank?

(Note: Any further information on this subject is welcome).

As was the case with Moskvin’s first uniform, the medal here is original and authentic and isa crude replica. It is a Commemorative Medal marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Red Army.-3/sp-les-costumes-12/img-3.jpg)

Ribbon bars: he is wearing an authentic ribbon bar. However, we are faced with a huge paradox here, as these ribbons are not Soviet but American. Furthermore, they are not all clearly identifiable, as they are largely hidden by the collar of Moskvin’s jacket. We can, however, recognise four of them with certainty.

Here they are (note: I have tried to position them roughly as they appear on the costume, leaving gaps where the ribbons are impossible to identify):

> Vietnam Service Medal.

> National Defence Medal.

> US Navy Good Conduct Medal.

> Bronze Star (Bronze Star).


In short: apart from the Soviet medal and the pins bearing the game’s logo on the collar, there is absolutely nothing Soviet about this uniform. The American medals introduce a huge paradox. A slapdash uniform. A shame, as there was certainly potential here...

Price #1

Note: as I’m not particularly well-versed in Western militaria, this costume – along with all the Allied costumes – is explained less thoroughly and relies on more guesswork than the Soviet costumes.


General notes: as with all Allied costumes, there isn’t a great deal to say about this one worn by Giles. It consists of just a fewelements. Giles appears to be wearing the same blue US Air Force Officer’s uniform as his colleague Bingham, complete with the traditional pins bearing the game’s Allied logo and other similar badges.

The US Air Force officer’s uniform in real life:


There is also a rank insignia, but it is difficult to identify. One thing is certain: it is not British and does not appear to be American either. It consists of three silver stars mounted on an epaulette. Hypothesis: the epaulette has a distinctive shape found on the epaulettes of modern Russian Officers; furthermore, this shape is not used in any Western army. However, the stars are too far apart and of an unusual size in the Russian army. On the other hand, they correspond to the size of the stars worn by senior American officers. We may therefore be dealing with a hybrid combination of American stars mounted on a Russian epaulette.

A Russian officer’s rank – note the shape of theepaulette:


US Air Force senior officer stars:

-3/sp-les-costumes-13/img-4.jpg)

Ribbons: once again, a monumental error has been made with the ribbons. These are all Soviet, which is somewhat jarring to the trained eye. Furthermore, this is exactly the same badge as the one we saw on Krukov’s second uniform, as well as on Warren’s uniform (I invite you to compare them for yourselves).

In order from left to right, row by row starting from the top:

> Order of the Patriotic War – 2nd class.

> Order of the Patriotic War – 2nd class.

> Order of the Red Star.

> Stalingrad Defence Medal.

> Medal for the Defence of Kyiv.

> Order of Glory.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 20th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

> Commemorative Medal for the 30th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

> Commemorative Medal for the 40th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

> Medal for the Capture of Budapest.

> Medal for the Liberation of Prague.

> Veteran of Labour Medal.

> Commemorative Medal for the 40th Anniversary of the Founding of the Red Army.

> Commemorative Medal for the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the Red Army.

> Medal for Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War.

Here is a clearer illustration of these ribbons:


In short: for Bingham, wearing a blue USUS Air Force uniform works very well for an Allied commander. Unfortunately, the small decorative details aren’t very true to life, which can detract from immersion. Fortunately, it seems this issue has been rectified in Red Alert 3: The Uprising.

Price #2

Note: as I’m not particularly an expert in Western military history, this costume – along with all the Allied costumes – is less well explained and is based on moreapproximations than the Soviet uniforms.


General notes: Giles’s uniform in Red Alert 3 - Uprising appears to be the same as in the original version of Red Alert 3. Tis largely the case, but there are a few minor details that differ nonetheless.

Overall, there are no changes; Giles has kept his blue US Air Force Officer’s uniform. The pin and the’badge have also remained unchanged.

The real-life US Air Force officer’s uniform:


There is, however, one small detail that has changed on the uniform: the rank. It is no longer indicated by stars but by three solid circles, which doesn’t correspond to anything… The real-life rank that comes closest is that of Captain in the British Army, which would suit the character perfectly.

Rank of Captain in the British Army:

When comparing the service ribbons with Giles’s first costume (the one he wore in Red Alert 3), a great deal of effort has been put in. Giles now has American service ribbons, a number of which are identifiable.

In order from left to right, row by row starting from the top:

> Unidentified.

> Unidentified.

> National Defence Medal.

> Unidentified.

> US Air Force Distinguished Military Service Medal.

> US Navy Expeditionary Medal.

> Unidentified.

> Unidentified.

> National Defence Medal (with bar).

> National Guard Component Achievement Medal.

> Department of Defence Meritorious Service Medal.

> US Navy Meritorious Service Medal.

> Distinguished Military Service Medal from the Department of Defence.

> Bronze Star.

> Silver Star.

> Coast Guard Medal of Excellence.

> UNIKOM Medal (United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission).

> Unit Citation for the Order of Gallantry.


In short: Having corrected the few errors present in the base costume, this version is much more realistic. A great boost to immersion.

Romanov #1


General notes: the costume worn by Romanov is by no means a genuine Soviet costume, as one might have expected. The general look of the costume is, in fact, too ‘flashy’ to be realistic (which is, incidentally, in keeping with the game’s general style)With the exception of the medal, none of the elements exist in reality. The costume itself and its accessories appear to have been tailor-made for this role. However, even though it did not actually exist, the source of inspiration is very real: the costume, in terms of its colours and overall appearance,is very heavily inspired by the white uniform that Joseph Stalin liked to wear, which can be seen in certain images depicting the Soviet dictator:

A poster depicting Stalin in a white suit, the inspiration for Romanov’s costume:


Of course, the cuffs are too ‘flashy’ and too wide, theare also somewhat unrealistic, and the Soviet symbol on the collar isn’t really practical, even if it does serve to emphasise the presence of Soviet heraldry.

There is, however, one original feature on this costume, apart from the medal: the belt, which is a genuine Soviet officer’s leather belt, with the buckle bearing the coat of arms of the USSR.

Here is a genuine Soviet officer’s belt:


The medal: there is a medal on this costume that is particularly prominent. On closer inspection, the medal is easily identifiable. Itis a Medal for Outstanding Propagandist (as its name suggests, this medal was awarded to individuals who had organised a propaganda campaign deemed highly effective by the Party).

Here is a closer look:

In short: even though the costume isn’t historically accurate and contains certain errors, some of its elements are original. Furthermore, the costume reinforces the extravagance of the character wearing it. Finally, as we have seen, there is a striking resemblance to one of Stalin’s favourite uniforms, which fits the character’s role, even if the character is a caricature.

Tanya #1



General observations: when you see Tanya, you tend to pay more attention to her appearance than to her costume – which is true of almost all the female characters in the game, mind you. But unlike the other female characters, her costume remains plausible, whilst still having a touch of sex appeal. Plausible because it isn’t as over-the-top as the leather or “skimpy’ ones we’ve come to expect from the female characters in Red Alert 3! No, here the balance between kitschy sex appeal and realism is spot on.

For example, the trousers are regulation US camouflage fatigues in ‘Woodland Green’ camouflage, which is a good thing. The grey-beige vest top, although a bit short for reasons we all know, also works very well and gives that ‘feminine Rambo’ look. Print the Allies’ logo on it and you’re all set. All that’s left is to fit our dear Tanya with a pair of ‘Ranger’-style military boots. In this case, some New Rock boots that come up to the knees for extraimpact. And there you have it – Tanya’s outfit is a success.

US Woodland Green Camouflage fatigues in a grey-beige shade, which you can find in any shop:


New Rock boots:


To all this, you can of course add some nice little details such as a military dog tag, and of course don’t forget to arm the young lady with a pair of… Desert Eagles (yes, yes, I know she’s also got a pair of something else).

Tungsten dog tag, blank:


Desert Eagle:


In short: Tanya’s costume is very well done as it manages to combine both the spirit of the game and realism. Most of the elements that make it up are believable. Absolutely brilliant!

Topolov

General Topolov’s costume:


General notes: Ah! Dear old Topolov! Certainly one of the most successful and interesting costumes to analyse, in my view. This was the first article I ever wrote for CnCSaga, so I’m offering you this version, which I’ve revised and corrected myself, as a token to mark my return to the editorial team. There really is a wealth of little details in this costume that deserve a brief comment from the passionate Russophile that I am, and I shall be delighted to analyse them for you.

The cap:

Let’s start by looking at the headgear, as shown in this image:


This wide-brimmed cap may seem perfectly ordinary at first glance. Its disproportionate size, in true Russian style, lends the character a certain presence. However, this design only came into use in Russiain 1993, i.e. after the fall of communism. The proof lies in the presence on the cap of the double-headed eagle: a former symbol of Imperial Russia, revived in the 1990s by the new Russian administration. The golden star on the underside of the capis also post-Soviet: previously, it was a red star featuring a hammer and sickle.

Post-Soviet Russian cap worn by Topolov:


The uniform:

This uniform is purely Russian. The cut of the jacket appears to correspond to a Russian Officer’s uniform from the early 1990s. The colour of the jacket, a dark khaki green, is typical of the Army. However, the trousers do not match at all and are unlikely to be part of a Russian uniform. Otherwise, the white shirt and black tie are indeed standard attire. A small point, however: this is indeed a Russian uniform, not a Soviet one.

Russian officer’s uniform, 1991 model:


Rank:

Topolov is supposed to be a General. Yet this is not the case if we go by his rank. Where is the mistake? This is not a rank of a General in the Soviet Union; it is in fact a rank of a Commander in the contemporary Russian army (a and two thin stripes running vertically across the insignia). Soviet generals generally have a gold-coloured insignia featuring between one and four stars, with no horizontal stripes. Another clue: the shape of the epaulette, which differs between Russian and Soviet ranks. Topolov is therefore a Commander and not a General. What a shame!

Russian Army Commander’s rank:


Rank of General in the Soviet Army:


The insignia:

You don’t need to be a fortune-teller or even an expert to spot what’s wrong with the insignia. Firstly, the flag does not match that of the USSR but that of modern-day Russia. The inscription “Россия” means “Russia”. In the case of the USSR, it would be “CCCP”. This is the official emblem of the Russian Armed Forces since the fall of communism. A Soviet emblem would have been more appropriate.

On the right: emblem of the Russian Armed Forces (worn by Topolov), on the left: the Soviet Armed Forces’ emblem:


Badges and insignia:

Numerous accessories adorn the costume. It’s a bit of a jumble, given that all these items have practically nothing in common, and it is highly unlikely-if not impossible-to find them all together on an authentic costume. There are a few znaki (less official than a medal but more valuable than a badge) and badges and insignia. Some are recognisable at a glance:

> Znak of the Excellent Propagandist.


> Znak of Excellence from the Soviet Ministry of the Interior.[](/uploads/cncsaga/Red Alert 3/sp-les-costumes-17/img-10.jpg)

> Civil Defence Znak of Excellence.


> Soviet Army Badge of Excellence.


> Combined Arms Badge of Excellence.


Service ribbons:

Topolov proudly displays a host of service ribbons. This might therefore lead us to believe thathe is a highly decorated veteran. That is, in fact, the whole point. However, the vast majority correspond to commemorative medals which were not necessarily awarded for acts of heroism in combat, nor even for extraordinary leadership skills, for example. It’s’s a shame. What’s more, these ribbons aren’t arranged in the correct order of precedence, and some appear more than once. It doesn’t really matter, though, as the ‘Red Alert’ videos have such low image resolution that you’d have to be a bit of a weirdo (a bit like me) to clearly identify all these ribbons.

In order from left to right, row by row starting from the top:

> Lenin Centenary Commemorative Medal.

> Commemorative Medal for the 30th Anniversary of the Founding of the Red Army.

> Combat Service Medal.

> Medal for Bravery.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Red Army.

> Order of the Red Banner.

> Medal for 15 years of Impeccable Service.

> Medal for 10 Years of Impeccable Service.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 30th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Red Army.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 30th anniversary of the formation of the Red Army.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Red Army.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 20th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Red Army.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Red Army.

> Order of the Red Star.

> Commemorative Medal marking the 40th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

> Medal for 20 years of Impeccable Service.

> Medal for 15 Years of Impeccable Service.

> Medal for 10 Years of Impeccable Service.

> Order of the October Revolution.

Here is a clearer illustration of these ribbons:


In short:

Topolov’s costume is very well done, and for good reason: it’s essentially made up of 100 per cent Russian pieces… Hang on a minute! Russian? Yes! Russian, but not Soviet! That’s the only criticism oneone could level at this costume: it’s the perfect costume for a contemporary Russian Officer, but not a Soviet one. Fortunately, this doesn’t spoil the performance, and the character remains credible in his role, especially as only a trained eye would notice it.

Vladimir #1


Notes d’ordre général is a rather atypical character. At first glance, he’s your typical big, burly veteran muzhik: a thick-skulled brute who isn’t particularly bright. Strangely, for a high-ranking officer, his uniform gives a rather general impression: a jumble of medals, but the impression is reinforced by the austere brown colour of the uniform combined with the garish colours of the imitation gold thread and the epaulettes (which do not exist in reality and therefore do not correspond to any rank). The main feature of Vladimir’s uniform is a Paradnyï Mundyr. However, none of this colour exist, which may cast doubt on its authenticity…

One of the most common styles of Paradnyï Mundyr:


Among the details are three badges:

• The Conscripts’ Badge of Excellence – Expertise:


• The KGB Badge:


• The Soviet Army Badge of Excellence:

Red Alert 3/sp-the-costumes-18/img-5.jpg)

This doesn’t really fit the character’s role, but we’ll make do with it. Finally, there is one medal that remains impossible to identify definitively.

Look at those ribbons! Goodness me! Vladimir finds himself decked out with a bar consisting of American, not Russian, service ribbons. Yet another paradox! What’s more, this bar is highly improbable, as it’s made up of rare ribbons that are sometimes impossible to find together. Moreover, most of these ribbons are reserved for cadets or young marines in training, which is far from fitting Vladimir, a veteran. Others are sporting ribbons, which once again do not fit with dear Vlad’s substantial build and portly figure.

TheIdentifying them gave me quite a bit of a struggle, but in the end I managed to identify them more or less:

In order from left to right, row by row starting from the top:

> Regional Academic Command Ribbon.

> Unit Citation for the holder of the Order of the National High Command.

> Ribbon for membership of the California Cadet Corps Regimental Shooting Team.

> National Cadet Corps Summer Camp Medal.

> Holder of the California Cadet Corps Advanced Studies Diploma.

> Member’s Ribbon of thethe Reserve Officers’ Training Corps ‘Ranger Challenge’ Team.

> Member of the Marine Corps Community Sports League.

> Holder of the LTC Diploma from the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.

> Holder of the Authority Exercise Training Diploma.

> Reserve Officers’ Training Corps “Ranger Challenge” Team Member Ribbon.

> Athletic Ribbon.

> Academic Achievement Award.

> Philippines – Order of Defence (awarded to foreign volunteers).

> US Army Military Manoeuvres Excellence Ribbon.

> Coast Guard Order of Merit.

> Red Service Ribbon.

> Order of General Chuck Yeager.

> NOAA Meritorious Service Medal.

Here is a clearer illustration of these ribbons:


In short: from a serious point of view, Vladimir isn’t credible. For a start, his general appearance is far too scruffy for a Soviet Officer: unshaven, with unkempt hair. The Soviet army is strict on this point (only a moustache is permitted for officers). His look is more akin to that of an officer from the 18th-century Russian Empire. The same goes for his uniform, which is scruffy, implausible, with a host of anachronisms… Fortunately, a few details save the day, and let’s not forget that Red Alert 2 isn’t a game to be taken seriously – far from it.

General comments: the first costume Oleg wears in Red Alert 3 is, to say the least, rather poor. There’s’s not much to say about it. The outfit itself looks more like a tracksuit top than a military uniform. His dishevelled hair peeking out from under the beret doesn’t look very serious either. This stands in stark contrast to theimage of the Red Army as stern and meticulous in its details.

However, one might hypothesise that this is perhaps intentional, to bring out the character’s personality (that ofa not-very-bright muzhik with crude, brutal methods). If that’s the case, it’s a success.

Apart from that, we see the traditional pins featuring the Soviet logo created for the game on the collar, and the nationality badge bearing the same logo – except that this time it’s positioned on the chest rather than on the left sleeve, so this is a positioning error. As for his rank, like many other fictional characters, it is non-existent despite the shoulder tabs meant to indicate it, as these are blank (or perhaps our dear Oleg is merely a Recruit, which is not the case…).

There are, however, some authentic elements to this costume, such as the black beret, which is characteristic of the Soviet Marine Infantry. It doesn’t really fit with the character’s role, but for want of anything better, it’s not too bad.

Here is a picture of the Soviet marine infantry’s black beret:


The medal:

Oleg wears just one single medal. It isn’t really aa medal but rather a znak (less formal than a medal but more significant than a simple badge). It is therefore a Znak of Excellence from the Ministry of the Interior’s military forces (this ministry had its own military units in the USSR).

> Znak of Excellence of the Ministry of the Interior’s military forces:


Ribbons:

The ribbons are authentic and identifiable. However, we are faced with a huge paradox here. This is a very significant error, as these ribbons are not Soviet but are in fact American. It should also be noted thatrecycled from Krukov’s first costume (they also appear on Oleg’s second costume).

> Medal of Valour awarded to the holder’s unit.

> Commendation of the Recipient’s Unit in the Order of the President.


In short, a rather implausible costume, seemingly cobbled together in a hurry and with an obvious focus on saving money. However, it is possible that this was intentional to highlight the character’s somewhat boorish personality.

Vodnik #2


General comments: Apart from the details, of course, this costume looks really good. The choice of a Soviet Army officer’s uniform is an excellent one, as it perfectly matches Oleg’s personality.

Here are some images of the original uniform (a few minor details may differ):


It’s a shame there are no rank stars, as these would have added to the realism; here we have plain, unmarked epaulettes. If only they were gold, that would undoubtedly have corresponded to the rank of Officer (with the omission of stars), but in this case theabsence of all these details relegates poor Oleg to the rank of a mere Soldier. A pity.

Finally, amongst the other details, one will note the presence of two small Soviet pins on the collar (which is very rare in reality but is possible, although such stars are usually found on pilotkas (Soviet military caps); collar tabs indicating the Soldier’s branch of service are more common), as well as a very classic Soviet military badge (the sort usually found on caps or ushankas (traditional Russian fur hats)), but this minor lapse in taste is still forgivable.

Here are some clearer images of these details:



The medals:

> Commemorative Medal marking the 30th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.


Ribbons:

The ribbons are also authentic and recognisable. However, we are faced with a huge paradox here. This is a very significant error, as these ribbons are not Soviet but American. It should also be noted that this is an element reused from Krukov’s first costume (and which was also on Oleg’s first costume, incidentally).

> Citation from the holder’s unit for the Order of the President.

> Medal of Valour awarded to the holder’s unit.


In short: A very successful and credible costume. Few inconsistencies and true to the character, though it is a pity that certain elements from Krukov’s first costume have been reused (the medal and the commemorative ribbons), and whilst a more logical rank and other minor but nice details would have been welcome, nothing extraordinary, however; the costume remains credible and that is what counts.

Volkov #1


General notes: perverts will no doubt be delighted, as this outfit actually exists. Yes, you read that right! It doesn’t exist within the Russian or Soviet armed forces (nor, in all likelihood, within any army, for that matter). This sort of outfit can be found on websites sellingadult goods, if you know what I mean, and the same goes for all the other Soviet female personnel uniforms in Red Alert 3.

Here’s a photo of one of these cheeky costumes (just so you know: the lady in the photo isn’t included with the costume):


So we won’t dwell on a detailed description of the outfit, but rather on the little details that embellish it.

Let’s start with an element that immediately catches the eye and is a real treat: the red beret. Red berets are reserved for special forces (the Spetsnaz). It is a symbol of courage and of the blood shed for the motherland. Natasha is wearing a red beret, and she’s a Soviet Commando. So here, everything fits together perfectly! A big plus!

Image of a genuine Soviet special forces beret:


Note also the fine detail on the cufflinks and the buttons of the ‘mini-jacket’, which are gold and decorated with the hammer and sickle within a star (this is visible up close) and probably borrowed from a genuine uniform.

The gold cord on the costume may have been borrowed from a genuine uniform, but it is primarily a ceremonial elementceremonial regalia for military ceremonies (such as parades) and is therefore not normally found in combat. However, it is possible that this is simply a coincidence and that it came as standard with the basic “sexy” costume, as shown in the photo a little further up in the article.

A cord in real life:


Apart from that, there is unfortunately not much else to say. The Soviet insignia in the game, visible on the sleeve, can be regarded as a nationality badge. Of course, it doesn’t exist in reality, but in the game it serves as a very good substitute for the real badge, especially as it’s in the correct position on the uniform (nationality badges in the USSR/Russia are always on the left sleeve).

Another detail: the weapon. The Kovshunov SV is obviously a fictional weapon created for the purposes of the game. However, judging by its external design, it appears to be very heavily inspired by the Dragunov SVD. So no issues there.

Image of the Dragunov SVD:


There is one final detail that catches the eye: the strange symbol on the right sleeve. One might think it is simply a decorative element of the basic sexy outfit, as itdoesn’t exist in reality, or at least not in the Soviet or Russian armed forces…

In short, this fictional outfit is far too sexy to be realistic. It’s hard to imagine a woman going into battle in such skimpy attire. Whilst it’s certainly practical for hand-to-hand combat or for seducingenemies, but in hostile environments, especially those frequented by real Snipers, this outfit offers no protection against grazes, wounds, etc...

However, there are still some Soviet-inspired details that do offer a compromise between fiction and reality.

Zofia #1


General notes: Who could possibly have forgotten Lieutenant Zofia, theSoviet liaison officer from Red Alert 2? Probably very few people. Her shiny leather outfit is very eye-catching at first glance, and that’s surely intentional. There’s nothing serious about it, of course, since in reality it’s extremely unlikely that such an outfit would be part of the standard issue the armed forces. It seems clear that this outfit was chosen to give the character a touch of sexy provocation. Indeed, you can find this sort of cheap leather outfit by browsing a few adult websites; this is intended to evoke S&M fetishism in order, of course, to give Zofia theimpression of being a dominant woman and to stir the player’s fantasies.

Example of an ‘adult’ leather outfit:


Apart from her famous jumpsuit, she wears very few original Soviet details, apart from a few pieces of red fabric and some pins and buttons bearing the game’s Soviet logo. Nothing out of the ordinary on that front.

As for the ribbons, here we come up against a major paradox: the ribbons are all American and, as with Vladimir, they are all identifiable and correspond to ribbons that are generally quite rare, reserved for cadets or units that aren’t strictly military in the literal sense of the word. But if mistakes are to be made…

In order from left to right, row by row starting from the top:

> Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal.

> Marine Corps Cadet Marksman Ribbon.

> NOAA Pistol Shooting Team Ribbon.

> Regimental Commemorative Medal of Merit.

> Officer Candidate School Entrance Competition Winner’s Ribbon.

> Coast Guard Medal of Merit.

> Order of General Jimmy Doolittle.

Here is a clearer illustration of these ribbons:


In short: Zofia’s outfit is quite representative of the Red Alert 2 spirit: improbable and surreal. That’s why we’ll forgive the fact that such an outfit is completely unrealistic. We’ll also quickly forget the blunder made with the . After all, it’s only a game, and the look certainly wouldn’t have been as charming with a different outfit! The character would have lost some of its charm. So it’s no big deal.

Feature by Vodka Da Smirnoffka.