What Do Telnyashka Colors Mean? Every Military Stripe Explained

The Telnyashka is one of the most recognizable symbols of Soviet and Russian military clothing. However, not every Telnyashka has the same stripes. Different colors represent the Navy, Airborne Forces, Border Guards, Special Forces, and other branches of service.

In this guide, you will learn what Telnyashka colors mean, where the striped military shirt came from, and why it became a symbol of courage, pride, and military brotherhood.

Where Did the Telnyashka Come From?

The Telnyashka, also known as a striped undershirt or sailor shirt, has a history that goes back to the early European sailing fleets. It is believed that the blue-and-white striped pattern helped sailors remain visible against the white sails of a ship. The stripes also made it easier to spot a sailor in the water if he accidentally fell overboard.

The first striped sailor shirts appeared in the Breton fleet as early as the 16th century. At that time, they had twelve black-and-white stripes, matching the number of human ribs. Sailors believed this could trick death into thinking they were already dead and protect them from danger. Sea travel was extremely dangerous during this period, so sailors followed many traditions and superstitions.

The English and Dutch later adopted the striped sailor shirt. French sailors wore shirts with twenty-one stripes, traditionally said to represent Napoleon's major victories.

In Russia, the Telnyashka was officially introduced on August 19, 1874, by order of Grand Duke Konstantin Romanov. It later became one of the most famous parts of the Russian naval uniform.

Dark Blue Telnyashka: Navy

The original Russian military Telnyashka belonged to sailors of the Navy. In the late 19th century, its white stripes were much wider than its blue stripes. Modern Navy Telnyashkas normally have white and dark blue stripes of equal width, usually between 0.5 and 1.5 centimeters.

Early Telnyashkas were made from an equal blend of cotton and wool. Today, most summer versions are made from 100% natural cotton, while heavier winter versions may use thicker knitted fabric.

During World War II, German soldiers and their allies quickly learned to recognize the striped Telnyashkas worn by Soviet Naval Infantry. Soviet marines became known as the “Striped Devils” because of their courage and aggressive fighting style.

Striped clothing also had a dark meaning in older European culture. It was sometimes associated with executioners, prisoners, outcasts, and people who had nothing left to lose. This helped make the appearance of Soviet marines even more intimidating.

During combat, Soviet Naval Infantry sometimes wore standard Army uniforms for better camouflage. However, they usually kept the Telnyashka underneath. It was more than a comfortable undershirt. It was a symbol of courage, naval identity, and protection.

The Telnyashka also matched the old Russian tradition of putting on a clean shirt before battle.

View the blue and white Navy Telnyashka

Light Blue Telnyashka: Airborne Forces

The Soviet and Russian Airborne Forces, known as the VDV, wear Telnyashkas with white and light blue stripes. The light blue color represents the clear daytime sky.

The tradition began in 1959, when Colonel V.A. Ustinovich gave Navy Telnyashkas to paratroopers who successfully completed parachute jumps into water during military exercises.

The idea of giving the Airborne Forces their own Telnyashka was strongly supported by VDV commander Vasily Margelov. He promoted the striped shirt as a symbol of courage and the special identity of Soviet paratroopers.

By 1969, during the Soviet intervention in Czechoslovakia, VDV soldiers were already wearing light blue Telnyashkas. The shirt was officially added to the Airborne Forces uniform by an order of the USSR Ministry of Defense in the same year.

View the light blue VDV Telnyashka

Green Telnyashka: Border Guards

Green-and-white Telnyashkas are associated with Soviet and Russian Border Guard troops. This color became widely used around the 1990s, when different military branches began receiving their own stripe colors.

The tradition is connected with the Vitebsk Airborne Division, which was transferred to the control of the USSR KGB during the 1980s. Its light blue Airborne stripes were changed to green to represent the Border Guard service.

Many paratroopers disliked the change because they believed it weakened their Airborne identity. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the division became part of the Belarusian Airborne Forces again. However, the green Telnyashka remained closely connected with Border Guard troops.

View the green Border Guard Telnyashka

Maroon Telnyashka: Rosgvardiya Special Forces

The white-and-maroon Telnyashka is associated with Russian Interior Ministry Special Forces and modern Rosgvardiya units. Its dark red color matches the famous maroon beret, which is traditionally connected with elite internal security troops.

For many soldiers, the maroon beret must be earned by passing difficult physical and combat tests. Because of this, the maroon color represents strength, discipline, and elite status.

View the maroon Spetsnaz Telnyashka

Telnyashka Colors by Military Branch

Different Telnyashka stripe colors help identify the military branch connected with each shirt. The main colors include dark blue, light blue, green, maroon, cornflower blue, and orange.

Do Submariners and Naval Infantry Wear Black Telnyashkas?

Black-and-white Telnyashkas are often described online as shirts worn by submarine crews or Naval Infantry. However, this is a common misconception.

Submariners and Naval Infantry normally wear the standard Navy Telnyashka with dark blue and white stripes. Black-striped versions are popular as modern clothing, but they are not the traditional standard Telnyashka of these naval branches.

Why Is the Telnyashka More Than a Striped Shirt?

The Telnyashka was originally designed as practical clothing, but it became much more than an undershirt. For sailors, paratroopers, Border Guards, and Special Forces soldiers, it represents military brotherhood, courage, service, and pride.

Its stripe color can show the wearer's branch, but every version shares the same basic meaning. The Telnyashka connects the wearer with a long military tradition that began at sea and later spread to some of the most famous Soviet and Russian military units.

Which Telnyashka Color Is the Classic One?

The dark blue Navy Telnyashka is the original military version. The light blue VDV Telnyashka later became almost equally famous because of its strong connection with Soviet and Russian paratroopers.

Today, green, maroon, cornflower blue, and orange versions represent other services. Each color has its own identity, but the blue-and-white striped shirt remains the classic symbol of the Telnyashka.