Voentorg JSC, established under the order of Russia’s Defense Ministry, said on Thursday it has registered the new trademarks “Polite People” and “Tank Biathlon.”
“Polite People” is the term Crimean citizens used for servicemen without insignia who ensured security during the March referendum in Crimea, when the majority voted to leave Ukraine and rejoin Russia.
Speaking at a Q&A session in April, Putin acknowledged that the “polite people” at the Crimean referendum were Russian troops, who ensured proper conditions for the people of Crimea to be able to freely express their will.
“Tank Biathlon” is a military sport between tank crews premiered by the Russian military which is similar to the sport of biathlon. The first such contests ran in Russia in August 2013.
Voentorg, which was the name for the Soviet-era building where military gear could be purchased, applied for registering the trademarks in spring. Consumer goods of various kinds (printed materials, sports items, toys, cosmetics) will be sold under these trademarks.
“Creating our own brands is one of the new projects of post-perestroika Voentorg. The Defense Ministry joined by the design bureau of our company has devised a new sign [tricolor star],” the company’s director general, Vladimir Pavlov, said.
The ministry earlier launched a clothing line under the “Polite People” brand. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told TASS in an interview in early September that he received a few T-shirts with a 'polite people' print as a gift.
“We were the first ones who have launched the sales of T-shirts with the image of the commander-in-chief, and we were the first ones who patented and used the expression “polite people.” This brand belongs rightfully to Voentorg,” Pavlov said.