PMC WAGNER MONOLITH BALLISTIC VEST 004

Private collection
PMC WAGNER MONOLITH BALLISTIC VEST 004
Private collection

Collection

  • PMC Wagner
  • Russo-Ukrainian War
  • Uniforms

Origin

Battle of Bakhmut
Bakhmut, Donetsk, Ukraine

Year

2023

Association

Worn by a Russian mercenary of the PMC Wagner during the fighting in Bakhmut.

Description

A Russian-made Monolith ballistic vest in the EMR (Edinaya Maskirovochnaya Rascvetka) digital camouflage pattern, retaining its original tactical pouch and morale patches.

The front of the carrier retains a circular morale patch depicting a sledgehammer striking a skull, encircled by the Russian slogan "Ни шагу назад — хуже смерть, чем позор". The sledgehammer became one of the principal symbols of the Wagner Group and is closely associated with the organization's identity, having gained international notoriety through Wagner tactical communications and its documented use in the executions of alleged deserters. Adjacent is a black patch depicting a skull above the Russian "Z" battlefield symbol. The vest shows clear signs of operational use, including heavy wear and damage to the attached utility pouch.

Patch translation

Ни шагу назад — хуже смерть, чем позор
“Not a step back — death is better than disgrace.”

PMC WAGNER MONOLITH BALLISTIC VEST 004

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550BC is an independent publishing house based in Amsterdam, founded in 2018. Specializing in the complex realities of organized crime and conflict, we explore these subjects through the lens of visual anthropology. Our photo books provide rare, first-person perspectives from within otherwise inaccessible worlds, often created in direct collaboration with those involved. 550BC is also home to a private collection of over 2,000 unique physical items, preserved artifacts from the worlds we document. A selection is presented in our online archive.

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