The army buys everything it wears. They buy not only shoes and uniforms, the rapid wear and tear of which at the front does not allow them to fit into the long terms of use according to the rear documents. It is enough to type in the search “helmet/armor vest/ sight/ thermal imager to buy” and you will immediately jump out a sea of commercial offers for a lot of money.
The people’s military-industrial complex that Putin and Belousov talked so much about is selling its drones and electronic warfare equipment directly to the military. Businesses get tired of waiting for the Defense Ministry to accept their drones or body armor for procurement through a long procedure and put it all up on marketplaces. For the most part, all goods belong to civilian or mixed categories.
But there are among the ads and purely military, “decommissioned” devices, which can not be in civilian circulation. Since the troops are not provided with front-line transportation as needed, the formations buy or receive civilian cars from volunteers. And they buy spare parts for them out of their allowance.
In the Israeli army, the treasury reimburses the boots bought by parents for a soldier. In Russia and Ukraine it does not. And everything else is not compensated either. As a result, at a new round of historical development of the RF Armed Forces and the AFU quickly emerged and became an integral part of the military machine figures of the past – marquettes.
According to Ozhegov’s Dictionary MARKITANT, a, m. In the 18th-19th centuries: a merchant of edibles, drinks and various small goods in the army on a campaign.
There were fabulous times when confectioners and barbers were found in the army of Louis XIV. Over time, along with the men, many ladies went into the marquettes. They obeyed military regulations and took uniforms. The Germans in the 19th century had one marquis with an assistant and two paired wagons per battalion. In the Imperial Army of Russia marquettes appeared according to the statute of 1716. Since 1890 they were under the control of the commandant of the headquarters.
Everything is back. As 200 years ago, the treasury supplies the soldiers with rifles and helmets. Everything above the norms is purchased with their own money. Only now the marquis trades through Ozon, Wildberries and Avito. Food delivery to the trenches in some areas is also organized, with a risk premium for the courier.
Ukraine is traditionally considered a weak state in Russia. There, the sale of high-quality body armor to soldiers instead of weak government vests does not surprise anyone. But according to the many stories of front-line soldiers, Russia differs little in this respect.
As someone who’s into prepping, I’ve noticed a lot of military-grade gear becoming more accessible online. It’s a double-edged sword—it helps individuals prepare, but it also shows how underfunded some military operations are.
I’ve been following this trend for years. Online stores are a lifesaver for soldiers and survival enthusiasts alike. The demand for tactical gear is only going to grow as conflicts become more unpredictable.
This is a fascinating take on how e-commerce is reshaping war logistics. It’s crazy to think that soldiers are now shopping for survival gear the same way we shop for groceries!
This issue raises an important question: if soldiers are buying their own gear, how reliable is the equipment provided by governments? It seems like a major gap in military logistics.
It’s heartbreaking to see soldiers having to spend their own money on protective gear. Governments should prioritize their safety—it’s the least they can do for those risking their lives.
This article really highlights the struggles modern soldiers face. It’s shocking that in some cases, soldiers have to buy their own gear. Governments need to step up and ensure proper supplies for their troops!