Thread by @elmustek

Part 2.1 of my identification thread, this time Russia is the topic:
Please remember these are my personal views/ observations on the subject

Stripes:
Russia uses rather rarely a Red horizontal stripe on its vehicles.
As far as im aware these red stripes are only used by separatist troops.

Unit Insignia:
Like Ukraine, Russia applies unit insignia on their Vehicles as well. You can find an indepth look into them here:
ukr.warspotting.net/reading/tactic…

Tactical markings:
The easiest and most well known way to identify russian vehicles is by the famous letters Z, O and V and by the Triangel with the circle in the middle
You can find an indepth look into them here (Same page as in the post above):
ukr.warspotting.net/reading/tactic…

There is a special version of the Z. A White stripe that goes from the Top Right to the Bottom Left corner of the Vehicle. Sometimes the 2 remaining stripes to form a Z are present. The Soldiers probably failed to paint the Tactical Marking properly.

Some examples for the Z:

Some examples for the O:

Some examples for the V:

Some examples for the triangle with circle:

Often there are remains of markings on burned out Vehicles

Besides these markings there are other markings without a tactical background, like Russian Train markings:

Or Russian Parade Decals:

Vehicles that participated in Russian Parades sometimes have the edges and center of the roadwheels and rims painted white:

Since Russia had huge Equipment losses, they seem to press almost all working Vehicles that they can find into Service. Because of this, some odd vehicles show up from time to time.

Like UAVs with emergency service markings, or vehicles with Peace Keeper markings:

Another quite unique thing about Russian Vehicles are the Graffitis they paint onto their vehicles.
Some have so much painted onto them that they look like the seats in the back of a classroom

These Graffitis are usually made with white or red paint:

Now onto camo and Vehicle colors:
Most Russian vehicles, probably around 80% are Green. But more about that soon. First we take a look at the camo of russian vehicles

Russian camo can be separated in three Types.
A carefully applied camo scheme in Green, Light Brown with smaller black spots. This camo Looks Like it was applied in a factory.

Its seen mostly on BMP-3, BMD-4, BTR-80/82A and GAZ Tigr

The second is a more handmade, in the field applied camo, where either large or small Spots are painted in varying types of Brown/yellow and black/Grey
(The BMP on the Railcar wasnt photographed in Ukraine, I included it as a Color Example)

The 3rd I like to call DIY-Camo. Every vehicle looks different and uses different colors(Both sides use this kind of camo).
This camo can mostly be seen on GAZ Tigr and captured Vehicles. But its unclear who applyied it to captured Vehicles

Small disclaimer: Both Sides use DIY camo on Trucks, Vans, Pickups and civilian Cars

Now onto the green ones. Here you often have to differentiate between soviet and post-soviet types.
Soviet Vehicles like the BMP-1 and MT-LB usually have a dark green-brown color

"Newer" Russian Vehicles like the T-72B3 Obr 2016 or the BMP-1AM have lighter green-brown color.

Then there are also the Vehicles pulled from Long Term storage, barely maintained and pressed into Service. They usually have a washed out green with rust stains. Good examples for how this color Looks are given by the T-62M

But there are many cases, where these old vehicles were repainted before being sent to Ukraine. They are often times painted in dark green.
Or they were stored in better conditions and were better maintained

Part 2.2
One Thing to keep in mind is that the colors may change when the vehicle sits in the sun for a long time or when it burns out
Colors also appear different depending on the Light and when they are wet

The fact that Russia and Ukraine employ green Vehicles without any markings, doesnt make identifying any easier. If Ukraine puts the captured BMP-1 , BMP-2 and MT-LB into active service without repainting them, then the identifying will get even more difficult in some cases.

Personally im getting the Impression that some vehicles are just an disposable asset for the Russian Army like the assault units. This would atleast explain the Number ouf unmarked vehicles.

It appears that T-72s, T-80s, BMPs, MT-LBs and BTRs are delivered to the Front on one day and are lost the next day.
Disposable like Napkins...

But i digress, so lets continue with Vehicles that at first sight look civilian, but in reality are offically in service with the russian Military. Like the UAZ-515195 Esaul, UAZ Patriot or the GAZ Sobol

And then there is the Cope Cage, sunscreen or roof screen (call it how you want it, im not your parent)

Last but not least, i want to mention the Rosgvardia:
Most of their vehicles are Green or painted in camo like their counterparts in the Russian Army.

But some of their green vehicles have Red Stripes with Rosgvardia written onto them or simple yellow horizontal stripes

And then there are the Light Grey/ sometimes almost White Vehicles. These often have Red stripes too and the Emblem of the Rosgvardia on their doors. But thats not always the case

Hope you liked it. These are all my personal Observations about the subject.