Russian police hats....
 

While mindlessly starting at the news the other day I noticed a Russian policeman, at least I think that is who is was, wearing a tall fur hat akin to the bearskin hats worn by the palace guard in London. He was an older fellow who was a dead ringer for the Witch's palace guard in The Wizard of Oz, the 1939 version. The guy who handed Dorothy the broomstick after the Witch melted, that is.

There are lot of law enforcement types at Sochi, but few of them wear the tall fur hats. This Oz guy keeps showing up in the background shots, and a younger guy has now appeared wearing the same uniform. Gold shoulder slats, gray uniform with black trim around the cuffs of the jacket and a black, squared off ,double breasted sort of pattern on the front of the uniform.

Who are these guys? I have tried to Google this sort of thing for a photo but came up empty.

Anyone know what their rank and/or function might be as well as what ministry they are attached to?

Cossacks?

Please, MTI...

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t_xlGGymR7...S+BUSINESS.jpg

little late to the party, eh?

That guinea pig looks delicious.

I agree on the pictures. I keep looking for them but come up empty handed. I even found a site that is nothing but Soviet Hats and how to tell who is who by what type of hat they are wearing.

But no bearskin hats. I will keep looking.

This is all I could find. Stop the video at 01:06 minutes and you will see who I am talking about and the uniform. This is not the best shot of Oz Guy but I still cannot find a close-up.

Russia Promises Heavy Security During Olympics - Video on NBCNews.com

Have you tried using the search terms "Cossack" and "Sochi" together?

Well, that picked up the hat. I still could not find any photos of the uniform Oz Guy is wearing but it must be some sort of dress uniform and not a traditional Cossack one like most of those in the photos I can find.

And thanks for the Google direction.

Now I am wondering if Russia bought in these guys to work or just for show?

Since I can't hand you our copy of this month's National Geographic, see if this link works:

Sochi, Russia - Photo Gallery

That link got it. The gray uniform with the black stripes and everything.

Thanks. I figured if I posted this here someone would know the answer.

Maryland Bridge Police?

It's a modified " militsia" uniform.
The Russians now have a national police force. They also have regional uniforms, based on the area.

You should see the hats along the Mongolian border, you would think you were in 1900 Czarist Russia.

BTW I have one of those hats.

They are made of Persian lamb's wool. Very warm. Not for sale.