Politician begs Russian army: 'Please wear socks'

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu wants Russian troops to pull up their socks ... or at least to start wearing them. Since the late 17th century, Russian soldiers have been tightly wrapping their feet in "portyanki" (rectangular strips of cloth) to prevent blisters from their heavy boots with no laces. But newly installed Defense Minister Shoigu was shocked to learn that some soldiers are still using the foot wraps, and addressed a televised meeting with military officers with the demand that "by the end of 2013, we must forget the word portyanki." If that’s how Russian soldiers treat their delicate feet, one shudders to think what they wear under their pants. [Source]

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