Russia's Iconic Vertical Camouflage Pattern

Flora, officially designated VSR-98, became the standard camouflage pattern of the Russian Armed Forces during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Easily recognized by its broad vertical brushstrokes, Flora earned the nickname "Watermelon" among Russian soldiers because of its distinctive striped appearance.

Serving as the successor to VSR-93, Flora became one of the defining military camouflage patterns of post-Soviet Russia and saw extensive use during military operations throughout the early twenty-first century.

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Quick Facts

• Country of Origin: Russian Federation
• Official Designation: VSR-98 (Flora)
• Introduced: 1998
• Primary Users: Russian Armed Forces, MVD, Interior Troops, security forces
• Environment: Woodland, grassland, mixed terrain
• Pattern Type: Vertical brushstroke camouflage
• Status: Historic Russian military camouflage

The Evolution from VSR-93

By the mid-1990s, Russian military planners sought to improve upon the VSR-93 "Barvikha" camouflage pattern. Although effective, VSR-93's narrow vertical elements were replaced with broader, softer brushstrokes that blended more naturally into forests and grasslands.

The result was Flora, officially adopted in 1998.

Why the Nickname "Watermelon"?

Russian soldiers often referred to Flora as "Arbuz," the Russian word for watermelon. The nickname came from the pattern's broad green stripes running vertically across the fabric, giving it a visual resemblance to the rind of a watermelon.

Despite the humorous nickname, Flora proved to be an effective and practical camouflage for a wide range of environments.

Pattern Characteristics

Flora features large vertical brushstroke shapes arranged over a light green background.

The standard woodland version uses:

• Light Green
• Medium Green
• Dark Green
• Brown
• Black

The larger shapes provide better disruption at medium distances while maintaining effective concealment in woodland environments.

Designed for Russia's Diverse Landscape

Flora was intended to perform across the varied terrain of the Russian Federation, including:

• Mixed forests
• Pine woodlands
• Grasslands
• River valleys
• Mountain foothills
• Temperate environments

The pattern's balanced color palette allowed it to perform well throughout much of Russia's growing season.

Military Service

Flora became the standard camouflage of the Russian Armed Forces during the late 1990s and remained in widespread service throughout the 2000s.

It was worn by:

• Russian Army
• Airborne Forces (VDV)
• Naval Infantry
• Interior Troops (MVD)
• Special police units
• Various security organizations

Flora appeared during the Second Chechen War and numerous military exercises throughout the Russian Federation.

The Transition to EMR

As digital camouflage became increasingly common worldwide, Russia began developing a modern replacement for Flora.

In 2008, the Russian military introduced EMR Digital Flora, a pixelated camouflage designed to provide improved concealment while retaining many of the color characteristics that made Flora successful.

Although EMR gradually replaced Flora, many reserve units and security organizations continued using Flora for years afterward.

Collector Interest

Flora remains one of the most recognizable Russian camouflage patterns and is highly sought after by collectors because of its extensive military service. Original uniforms from the late 1990s and early 2000s continue to be popular among military historians and enthusiasts.

Flora at CAMO HQ

At CAMO HQ, Flora represents one of the defining camouflage patterns of modern Russia. Its distinctive vertical brushstrokes, widespread military service, and historical importance make it an essential part of any serious camouflage collection.

Our Flora-inspired collection celebrates this iconic Russian pattern while preserving an important chapter in the evolution of post-Soviet military camouflage.

Did You Know?

• Flora officially entered Russian military service in 1998.
• Soldiers nicknamed it "Watermelon" because of its vertical green stripes.
• It replaced VSR-93 as Russia's standard camouflage.
• Flora remained in widespread service until gradually replaced by EMR Digital Flora.