Are the various departments Russian rations are marked for actually eat them?

[mikeoverhere]

Every time I turn around, there are new Russian rations out for various organizations. Is this just a marketing thing used to sell rations commercially or are they really for those they say they are and if so, how often are they consumed? For example, do they really make a special ration for national guard instead of just issuing them military rations? Is that really a KGB/Spetsnaz ration or just clever marketing? Mixture of actual military issue and commercial I assume. Are the rations eaten at times other than say training and emergencies/war? I admire the way Russia has really pushed the rations variety.

[Smitty]

I feel you. I have a few Russian rations but typically don’t buy more because of the same reason you mention. I don’t want to spend money on a fake or commercial variety.

In addition, it all seems quite bog standard, with several exceptions. Perhaps RUfriend can lend a hand. He served and sells rations.

[DBCT]

I have wondered if there is just a company in Russia producing MREs specifically for commercial sales overseas. I just find it hard to believe that with the very minor differences between some of the rations that it would be worth it to the military to even bother changing the name and packaging. Even for other government departments, if you are only changing 1-2 small items in a ration, why would you change the entire shape and box design of a ration? It would be much easier to just use the same packaging and just print a different design on the outside.