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Cheap cigarettes, tourniquets, and cereals in a garbage bag: mobilized unpack New Year’s gifts from “United Russia”

The Insider

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Mobilized Russian soldiers have begun receiving New Year’s gifts in boxes bearing the emblem of United Russia – the country’s ruling party. Media outlet Sota published a video sent by the servicemen's relatives showing the unpacking of one such parcel.

The gift box contains two packs of “FEST” Belarusian cigarettes, two razors, two tourniquets to stop bleeding wounds, a bandage bag, oatmeal, pasta, rice, and underwear. As seen in the video, the cereals was packed in black garbage bags. “Let’s unpack. The commander told us volunteers sent us gifts for the New Year,” says the soldier behind the camera. Tobacco sales websites report that FEST cigarettes in Moscow cost 30-35 roubles (close to $0.5) per pack wholesale.

The gift box contains two packs of “FEST” Belarusian cigarettes, two razors, two tourniquets to stop bleeding wounds, a bandage bag, oatmeal, pasta, rice, and underwear. As seen in the video, the cereals were packed in black garbage bags. “Let’s unpack.

The commander told us volunteers sent us gifts for the New Year,” says the soldier behind the camera. Tobacco sales websites report that FEST cigarettes in Moscow cost 30-35 roubles (close to $0.5) per pack wholesale.