KZS Uniform

KZS Uniform
Type	Battledress
Designation	Spetsodezhda (Special purpose clothing)/Kostium zashchitnoi seti
Place of Origin	USSR
Produced	1975-???
Manufacturer(s)	Sewing factory Gukovo
Material(s)	cotton
Evolved from	Unknown
Evolved into	Unknown
Service
Used by	Soviet Military Russian Military
Wars	Soviet war in Afghanistan Russo-Ukrainian War

The KZS uniform is a camouflage over-suit of Soviet Origin. introduced in the 1970s, the KZS would go on to be widely used until the collapse of the USSR.

Overview

The KZS (Kostium Zashchitnoi Seti or protective net suit) was introduced in 1975. It was a two-piece over-suit made from a flame-retardant mesh/burlap material and was intended to be worn over the OKZK-D Uniform by troops on a nuclear battlefield. As a result, the KZS has a very large hood, intended to completely cover the wearer's Helmet, and extra long sleeves which can cover the wearer's hands. The suit was made from cheap materials as it was intended to be discarded after being used in combat. Many damaged suits had their hoods removed and fashioned into makeshift helmet covers.

As a result of varied dyes used in different factories, a huge variety of colors can be observed on surviving suits.

The flame-retardant qualities of the KZS would prevent troops from being lit on fire by normal explosions, distant nuclear blasts, and uncontrolled fires.

The suit was printed with the Berezka camouflage pattern, originally introduced on the KLMK Camouflage Coverall. It was used by Soviet troops throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. It appears to have often been used by "opposing forces" during training exercises, to represent "enemy" NATO forces.

The KZS was widely used during the Soviet-Afghan War, but almost without exception, only the jacket portion of the suit was used, due to the bulky and fragile nature of the pants. Production is believed to have ceased by 1991, and the suit saw some limited usage in post-Soviet conflicts.[1]

Two sizes are available: Size 1 will fit up to 44 inch chest (up to size 54 European). 160-170cm height. Size 2 will fit up to 44 inch chest (up to size 54 European). 170-180cm height. The size is critical only for pants, as the jacket has a large reserve on sleeves and length. The suit is treated with special chemicals for its fire protective properties. If you plan to wear it often it is recommended to wash it (delicately, with hands, in warm / cool water) to avoid any skin irritation because of the chemicals.

Gallery

Another set of KZS uniform (manufactured 1987)

Front view of the jacket

Back view of the jacket

Front view of the trousers

Back view of the trousers

Markings "ШВЕЙНАЯ ФАБРИКА г. ГУКОВО НАИМ,ИЗД КЗС РОСТ 1 ПАРТИЯ ГОД ИЗГ. 87"

Markings "ШВЕЙНАЯ ФАБРИКА г. ГУКОВО НАИМ,ИЗД КЗС РОСТ 1 ПАРТИЯ ГОД ИЗГ. 87"

Another set of KZS uniform (manufactured 1990)

Jacket

Trousers

Markings "ШВЕЙНАЯ ФАБРИКА г. ГУКОВО НАИМ,ИЗД КЗС РОСТ 1 ПАРТИЯ ГОД ИЗГ. 90"

Another set of KZS uniform (manufactured 1988)

Jacket

Closeup of the jacket

Jacket and trousers

Back view and hood

Trousers and jacket

Markings "ШВЕЙНАЯ ФАБРИКА г. ГУКОВО НАИМ,ИЗД КЗС РОСТ 1 ПАРТИЯ ГОД ИЗГ. 88"

Another KZS jacket

Pile of different colored KZS variations

A KZS uniform's label

Label's backside

Another KZS suit

In popular culture

Media	Notes	Date
ArmA: Cold War Assault	Worn by Aleksei Guba	2001
World in Conflict		2007
Call of Duty: Black Ops	It is worn by the Spetsnaz, however this is anachronistic as the game is set in the 1960s	2010
Call of Duty: Black Ops: Declassified	It is worn by the Spetsnaz	2012