How did the Russian Red Cross protect soldiers from gas attacks in WWI? (PICS)

The Red Cross appeared in Russia on May 15, 1867, when Emperor Alexander II established the Society for Care of the Sick and Wounded, which in 1879 was renamed to the Russian Society of the Red Cross.

The Russian Red Cross was under the personal patronage of Empress Maria Alexandrovna and enjoyed contributions and support from members of the Royal House, who in turn were honorary members of the Society.

The first time the Russian Red Cross Society appeared on the international scene was during the Franco-Prussian war (1879-1871). In so doing, it helped both sides: Germans and French. In future, the Society would participate in many conflicts where Russia was not involved, to assist the wounded on the warring sides.

The first serious challenge for the Russian Red Cross was the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878). The Society shouldered almost all medical care in the army: it opened hospitals, organized sanitary trains and “flying” sanitary units, plus emergency rooms near battlefields.

The Russian Red Cross didn’t limit itself to assisting the war wounded, but also helped those who suffered during earthquakes, floods and fires. During the 1878 plague epidemic in the Astrakhan region, the Society handed out shoes and clothes and built two permanent hospitals.

In 1882 the Russian Red Cross began helping soldiers during peacetime. They got free medical treatment, were taught crafts and were sent to resorts for recovery.

During the First World War (1914-1918),  tens of thousands of volunteers acted under the flag of the Russian Red Cross: 2,500 doctors, 20,000 sisters of mercy, and over 50,000 attendants. When in 1915 the Germans used poison gas, the Society promptly produced over 6 million gas masks.

After the 1917 Revolution, the Society acted as the Soviet Red Cross. It played a huge role in teaching millions of people how to administer first aid.

Thousands of nurses saved soldiers’ lives on the battlefields of WWII. Dozens of them were awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union. During the whole period of war, the Soviet Red Cross sent to the Army over 1,700,000 liters of donor blood.

In the postwar period, the Soviet Red Cross undertook wide activity abroad, especially in China, North Korea, Ethiopia, Algeria and Iran.

After the devastating earthquake in Armenia in 1988, the Soviet Red Cross established a permanent unit of professional rescuers.

Nowadays, the Russian Red Cross Society assists people suffering from various natural disasters and war conflicts, not only in Russia, but worldwide.

The Russian Red Cross receives huge donations from Russian citizens and enterprises, as well as financial support from foreign branches of the Red Cross organization.

The modern Russian rescuers – who are they? Find out here.