Russian Paratrooper Striped Shirt

Russian VDV Telnyashka

This is the telnyashka, the horizontally striped undershirt of the Russian Airborne Forces (VDV), with sky-blue stripes on white that mark its wearer as a paratrooper. Russian troops wear it under the uniform as a base layer and on its own in camp. Collectors, reenactors and anyone who wants the genuine shirt rather than a fashion piece will find it here.

Features

• Airborne Blue Stripes — Evenly spaced sky-blue and white bands run around the body and down both sleeves, the color the VDV uses to set its shirt apart from other branches.
• Long Sleeves — Full-length sleeves give arm coverage when the shirt is worn as a cold-weather base layer.
• Crew Neck — A simple round neckline sits low enough to show the stripes at the open collar of a uniform tunic.
• Knit Construction — The soft knit body stretches with movement and lies flat under outer layers.
• Close Fit — The trim cut keeps the shirt from bunching under a jacket, smock or body armor.
• Hemmed Cuffs And Waist — Stitched hems finish the sleeve ends and lower edge cleanly.
• Russian Army Issue — This is original government-supply clothing from the Russian armed forces.

Airborne Service Heritage

The striped telnyashka began as a naval garment, and the airborne troops took it up with blue stripes in place of the navy's dark ones. VDV soldiers treat the shirt as part of their identity, and paratroopers wear it with pride well after their service ends. For a Russian airborne impression or a collection of Eastern European kit, the issued shirt is the correct piece.