Figure 1.--These Scouts are from the skautskogo force (troop) in the south of Russia, at the edge of Krasnodar. The photographs were taken in 2005. Note the orange neckerchiefs. I'm not sure what the orage represents.

Scouting had been prohibited under Communism. The fall of Communism and the dissolution of the Soviet Union (1992) made it possivle to revive Scouting. We have noted Scout units in modern Russia, but do not know much at this time about the movement. Scout troops appearing to be operating in several Russian cities. We do not at this time know a great deal about the strength of the movement. I assume that the various Scout troops are members of the FSR, but have few details at this time.We also do not know how it will be affected by the ongoing political changes in Russia. These Scouts are from the skautskogo force (troop) in the south of Russia, at the edge of Krasnodar (figure 1). The photographs were taken in 2005. I assume they are affiliated with the FSR, but have few details about the the importance of the national association at this time.

Revival

Scouting had been prohibited under Communism. The fall of Communism and the dissolution of the Soviet Union (1992) made it possivle to revive Scouting. We are not sure who was responsible for this. I doubt if anyone in Russia was still alive from the Scouting movement which was banned in the early 1920s. Perhaps some of the Young Pioneer staff had read about Scouting. Or perhaps emigree Scout groups helped found Scouting in Russia.

The FSR

The disolution of the Soviet Union opened the way for Scouting in Russia. Scouting began to re-emerge in Russia in 1991, with various factions competing for recognition. Some former Pioneer leaders and civilians who wished to form scout groups for whatever reasons (hopefully scouting ideals) belong to the FSR. Church influence can be seen in the Orthodox Scouts who received assistance from National Organisation of Russian Scouts in France and Australia. There is also ORUR, an emigre group which came into being in 1946. They have now moved their headquarters from New York to Moscow and are negotiating with the the Federation of Scouts of Russia (FSR).

Scout Units

We have noted a few Scout units in modern Russia, but do not know much at this time about the movement. Scout troops appearing to be operating in several Russian cities. We do not at this time know a great deal about the strength of the movement. I assume that the various Scout troops are members of the FSR, but have few details at this time. We also do not know how it will be affected by the ongoing political changes in Russia. These Scouts are from the skautskogo force (troop) in the south of Russia, at the edge of Krasnodar (figure 1). The photographs were taken in 2005. We note another Scout group near Moscow, but they have an entirelt different uniform. This group promotes outdoor activities to toughen the boys. I assume they are affiliated with the FSR, but have few details about the the importance of the national association at this time. The difference in uniforms suggests that there may be more than one Scout association in Russia.