PATCHOLOGY: Badge of War

Every army has its badges, including the Ukrainian one. However, for the current war, duct tape has become the distinguishing feature. Ukrainians can be recognized at first glance by the yellow stripes on their arms. What this means for reenactment and militaria collectors, we dare not think to the end: not long and you will find "issued 2022 duct tape" for $300 on eBay...

The quick distinction at first glance is also present with the Russians, where white arm and sometimes leg bands can be seen, as well as red. This improvisation is interesting because it also appears to be an "official" badge of the invading troops: black and orange bands that remotely resemble Adidas, mounted on the uniform and helmet.

However, these have a special meaning: The St. George's Ribbon (Russian георгиевская ленточка, transcribed georgijewskaja lentotschka), also called George's Ribbon or George's Bow, is a Russian military badge consisting of a pattern of three black and two orange stripes. Since the anti-government mass protests in Russia in 2011 and 2012 and the war in Ukraine since 2014, the St. George's Ribbon has served as a sign of support for the political course of the Putin government. HERE is the full story of the St. George's Ribbon.