Russian Federation Parachutist badges

[TacHel]

Russian Federation parachutist breast badges are becoming more and more common on the western market... Or are they? Be careful what you buy, it might not be what you expect.

The modern badge is identical to its Soviet predecessor minus the red star. Its design is detailed in Order of the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation #182 dated 6 April 2005.

Notice I said "identical to its Soviet predecessor minus the red star", and stopped, that's because that's all they did. The star wasn't replaced by anything else contrary to what you will find on the market. No bicephalic eagle, no gold star, nada.

This is it. A bit planer looking but still, the ONLY approved official para badge. This also applies to the "excellent parachutist" and "parachutist instructor" badges.

[TacHel]

This is the model you will unfortunately most often find on the market, with the bicepalic eagle. It is a non adopted prototype produced in great numbers and readily available.

[TacHel]

Two more models for you. Both unadopted, hence, both unofficial. But unfortunately found in many market places advertized as the real thing.

The one on the left is merely the Soviet model without the red enamel on the star. The other looks like a badge of the Association of Airborne Veterans.