The camouflage appeared in 2008^[1] after a fundamental decision was made to change Flora. Initially, it was assumed that since "Flora" roughly corresponds to the American Woodland, which in the US Armed Forces was changed to digital camouflages, then the Russian Armed Forces should keep up with this process. Full-scale adoption began in 2011.^[11]

The creation of the EMR was heavily influenced by the German Flecktarn camouflage,^[12] the developers of which managed to "combine the incompatible": small spots that perform an imitation function are combined in this color scheme so that they form groups of large spots that perform a deforming function.

The developers of EMR followed the same path, taking into account the results of studies that showed the effectiveness of extremely small ("pixel") spots as constituent elements of the texture pattern.^[10]

In 2016, Russian troops in Syria were reported to be wearing a desert variant of the EMR.^[4]

It was reported in 2017 that Russian soldiers in the National Guard would discontinue using EMR and instead, use Izlom or Moss-based camouflage patterns instead.^[13]

The EMR uniform kit is also used for some ceremonial purposes . However, significant variations not covered by the official uniform code exist when used for ceremonial purposes including; white parade gloves, white leather buckled parade belts, white aiguillettes, coloured branch shoulder boards, branch-distinctive lapel badges, pressed-collar buttoned jackets as opposed to the zipper jacket used in the standard uniform kit, berets used as the main headdress as opposed to caps or peaked caps.

Occasionally jackboots are issued for foot columns and colour guards wearing EMR. Other variations, such as office uniforms, by different manufacturers, such as Splav, not covered by the official uniform code are tolerated.

The basic uniform is as follows:

• The straight cut jacket has a standing collar, is closed by a central zipper, has two breast patch pockets with flaps with hidden button closures, the back has two vertical pleats, there are patch pockets on the upper sleeves with large velcro patches (earlier versions did not have the velcro patches), the sleeves have elbow pads. The bottom of the sleeves have adjustment tabs. The jacket can be worn tucked into or outside the trousers.
• the straight cut combat trousers have a one-piece waistband with seven belt loops and are closed by a button and a zipper. The trousers have two side slash pockets and there are large pleated patch pockets with flaps on the outside thighs. The pocket openings are angled for easier access. The back of the trousers have slash and flap pockets with flaps closed by a hidden button. The trousers have reinforcing pads in the knees while there is an extra layer of fabric in the seat.^[14][15]

Several variations of this pattern have been produced, they are as follows:

• Summer is a pixelated version of black, brown, and dark green pixels on a light green background.
• "Desert" is a desert version with beige, darkish beige and brown pixels on a sandy background.
• Sever is an arctic camo with light gray and dark gray pixels on a white background.
• "City" is an urban version of it.

Full-scale adoption began in 2011.^[16]

According to TsNIITochMash, the fabric used in EMR is waterproof, flame-proof, tear-resistant and breathable.^[2]

It is reported that EMR camouflage fabrics have been made in China due to it being cheap.^{[17][unreliable source?]} Depending on the manufacturer, there may be other EMR pattern variants.^[12]

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  Desert EMR used by Russian Troops in Syria
•  
  Autumn EMR as used on the 6SH122 Reversible Suit
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  Spring EMR as used on the 6SH122 Reversible Suit
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  Urban EMR as used by the FSIN, MVD, and MRF
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  "Green Man" EMR camouflage used by the Russian Armed Forces in 2014 in Crimea, also one of the first pattern of EMR
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  Arctic EMR camouflage used by the Northern Military District
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  Summer/regular version of EMR, the most used of all the patterns
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  EMR camouflage variant used^[18] by the Armed Forces of Belarus

•   Belarus: Armed Forces of Belarus, with slightly different color scheme.^[10][19] They were first seen with paratroopers from the 38th Airmobile Brigade.^[20]
•   Belize: EMR clones adopted by Belize Defense Force in October 2011 to replace their non-digital camouflage uniforms.^[21][22]
•   Russia: Adopted by the Russian Armed Forces^[23] to replace Flora camouflage uniforms.^[12]
•   Syria: Used by Republican Guard and special forces.^[24]
•   Tajikistan: Used by the Tajik Army.^[25]

Partially-recognized states edit

•   Abkhazia^[26]
•   Donetsk People's Republic^[27][28]
•   Luhansk People's Republic^[27][28]
•   South Ossetia^[29]
•   Transnistria^[30]

Russia edit

•  
  Russian Minister of Defence, General Sergei Shoigu (In the middle), wearing an office uniform in EMR
•  
  Russian soldiers wearing the older pattern of EMR
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  Display of the EMR combat uniform
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  Russian soldier training in their Ratnik combat gear, an AK-74M rifle and PMK-4 gas mask
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  Russian commando frogmen conducting training exercises
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  Russian sappers in Palmyra, Syria. Soldier on the left is wearing the desert variant of EMR camouflage
•  
  Close view of desert EMR
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  Soldiers of the 80th Arctic Motor Rifle Brigade wearing the Arctic pattern EMR

Belarus edit

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  Belarusian soldiers with EMR uniforms during the 2020 Belarusian protests
•  
  President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko wearing an EMR uniform in a meeting with President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev in 2009

Tajikistan edit

•  
  Tajik Soldier with SVD wearing an EMR uniform

Donbas edit

•  
  Marines of the Mariupol-Khingan Naval Infantry of the DPR People's Militia with EMR uniforms, wearing iconic telnyashkas thereunder.
•  
  Sparta Battalion soldier wears an EMR uniform and a Ribbon of Saint George during the 2016 Victory Day parade in Donetsk.
•  
  Head of the Donetsk People's Republic Alexander Zakharchenko with EMR fatigues
•  
  Separatist troops with EMR uniforms during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022

Bibliography edit

• Larson, Eric H. (2021). Camouflage: International Ground Force Patterns, 1946–2017. Barnsley: Pen & Sword. ISBN 9781526739537.

• Uniforms of the Russian Armed Forces
• List of military clothing camouflage patterns