Former Russian defense chief Dmitry Rogozin has drawn the wrath of Russian military bloggers after posing at the front in Ukraine in what appears to be almost entirely Western-made military equipment. The estimated cost: at least one million rubles (15,860 euros), while reservists often barely receive basic equipment.
Rogozin is not the least. He was first Russian ambassador to NATO, then deputy prime minister in charge of the defense industry and until July this year director general of the Russian state space agency Roskosmos. He is one of the most aggressive proponents of the war in Ukraine.
On his Telegram channel, however, he posted photos that are heavily credited to him. Journalists of the critical news channel ‘Можем объяснить’ found out that his winter tactical jacket and his Glock pistol with extended magazine come from Austria, his Bikatex tactical vest from Turkey, his Zephyr boots from Slovakia and his V-AR rifle with PMAG from the Czech Republic.
In addition to his MP5 submachine gun ammunition clips that come from Germany, he also carries three FN SCAR-H ammunition clips. That is an automatic rifle from the Belgian arms manufacturer FN, which is made in both Belgium and the United States. The only Russian piece of his equipment is his Armokom helmet.
The total cost of his equipment is estimated to be at least one million rubles (15,860 euros). This is especially sour because the reservists who were called up during the partial mobilization in Russia often barely received basic equipment to leave for the front. They continue to complain about a lack of food, equipment, ammunition and sleeping bags.
Abominable
Russian military bloggers do not understand why Rogozin, as a high-ranking figure, does not wear patriotic (read: completely made in Russia) equipment and weapons, equipment that is praised by Rogozin himself. One of them calls him “one of the most odious participants” in the military operation in Ukraine, because he fights against NATO in NATO equipment.
Earlier this month it was announced that Rogozin in Ukraine was leading a group of military advisers that provides military-technical support to the military personnel of the self-declared People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. This was reported by the independent Belarusian news site Zerkalo.io.
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