Basic equipment and rations for the expedition: went shopping with historian, searcher Nikolai Borisenko

Basic equipment and rations for the expedition: went shopping with the famous historian, searcher Nikolai Borisenko

Marking “Made in Belarus” today is not just a geographical mark, but synonymous with reliability and honest composition. The high quality of domestic products and manufactured goods has long won the trust of consumers both in the country and abroad. Nikolai Borisenko, head of the Mogilev Regional Historical and Patriotic Search Club “Vikkru”, with whom we went shopping, tested many Belarusian brands for strength in extreme conditions. In expeditions to the battlefields of the Great Patriotic War, proper equipment and a set of products are not just a matter of comfort, but a guarantee of successful work. Filling the “hiking basket” with goods, Nikolai Sergeyevich told what things have been tested for strength in forests and swamps for years.

In the Mogilev shopping center we come with Nikolai Borisenko to the opening. A search engine, historian, local historian and writer is a very busy person, and in the morning there are fewer people and queues in the store.

Our shopping does not begin with “parade” departments, but with the prose of camping life. Nikolai Sergeyevich takes a course on racks with insect sprays and immediately sends a Bobruisk spray to the basket:

- In wetland forests, where you have to work for days without protection. To mosquitoes and ticks do not eat us, we take Belarusian protective equipment, which perfectly "hold the defense.".

There are socks on the shelves. It would seem that there is something to delay: took his size and walked on. But an experienced searcher clarifies:

- For everyday life you need cotton, and now – “walking”, warm. On the "Watch of Memory", in reconnaissance go in November. The feet should be warm, especially if we sleep in tents.

In the next section, the search engine casts a professional look at tourist equipment:

- Mangala miniature, "children's". The folding chairs will fail on the second day: the structures are flimsy. They are good for those who occasionally go out into nature. We are on the expedition - up to 30 strong men, in the season of such "Memory Watch" - about 20, each lasts 10-14 days. So even though Chinese goods are sometimes cheaper, I vote for Belarusian functionality and quality. Our manufacturers work on conscience - in the traditions of the Soviet era. I have a barbecue and a cauldron with which I went hiking in the late 1980s.

Time-tested search engine - tent, sleeping bag, hiking tiles. For tile Nikolai Sergeyevich chooses a gas can for ignition of the Brest manufacturer. Chaussky "brick", Mogilev stew and pocket reserve In the food departments - the camping pot needs something to fill - Nikolai Borisenko is guided confidently. What is necessary for a multi-day hike, verified for years.

- Dry ration won't last long. The physical load of the search engines is decent: you have to walk several kilometers, dig the ground. To “recharge”, we cook soup, porridge.

First of all, stew and canned food are sent to the basket.

- This is something that can “live” in nature without a refrigerator for a long time, says Nikolai Borisenko. I like beef, buckwheat, barley with Mogilev meat. On the road I take Krakow half-smoked sausage, home - honey. In hiking good pate: tea in the morning in the forest to spread it on bread - the very same.

- This is a strategic product in our family. Sometimes you go out at night and the refrigerator is empty.

The wife of Nikolai Borisenko Svetlana is also a searcher, chief of staff of Viccru. On the Internet, the couple does not watch movies, but work with archives, looking for soldiers who are still missing.

Sveta cooks deliciously, especially chicken tobacco. But the barbecue is a purely male affair. For him, you need a pork neck, otherwise you will get fried meat, says Nikolai Borisenko.

He's a fish expert. Not surprisingly, he served in the Navy as a navigator of a long voyage, a senior officer.

- I went to the sea for ten years, including on fishing vessels, I know how to fish and cook, says Nikolai Sergeevich. 20 years ago I could not have imagined that Belarus would begin to grow trout on an industrial scale. This is a real breakthrough!

Innovation is innovation, and true patriotism is based on the classics: we go for Belarusian potatoes.

- There are 30 kilograms in this bag, Nikolai Borisenko estimates. On a two-week expedition, we take a couple of them. Bulba for Belarusians is the second bread. But even without black, I prefer the “brick” baked in Chauses. I always buy dryers and crackers. When there is no time for a full lunch, simple products are very helpful - taken out of pocket, snacked on the go. While wandering around the shopping center, Nikolai Sergeyevich clarifies: special attention searchers working in the open air, pay clothes, which for them is a second armor.

- Our camouflage jackets and trousers are sewn in Mogilev. Comfortable, pleasing to the body. Cloth breathes, keeps warm. Quality has been tested by time: in his equipment, he clinged to branches in the forest more than once - he does not break and does not diverge at the seams! Russian colleagues who join the expeditions also appreciated the form. So are Belarusian products.

The company, whose products are so appreciated by search engines, they support, a couple of years ago gave the club 20 sets of equipment. That support for the Vikkrais is invaluable. After all, as a rule, the shape, equipment - shovels, metal detectors - they acquire at their own expense. Therefore, the longevity of things – including the issue of saving personal budget.

Nikolai Sergeyevich does not like shopping, admits Svetlana Borisenko. He believes that this time is better spent on something that can bring real benefits to people. But we buy costumes together. They are also Belarusian, sewn in the Gomel factory: we are satisfied with the quality of fabric, color palette, fittings. The final point of shopping, to which Nikolai Sergeevich “subscribed”, became the brand store of the Zhodina factory.

The commander of Viccra is a longtime admirer:

- I've got a dozen of them. I'd take a veal and thermal underwear - it'll be cold soon.

Calves with green and blue stripes did not look: the sea wolf is served classics - with black stripes.

Thermal underwear for 80 Belarusian rubles arranged for the price and quality. However, the 54th size was not available. Nikolai Sergeyevich was not upset - there are many search expeditions ahead, so he will visit the store more than once.

kislyak@sb.by

BUSINESS CALL

Alexander Milyutin, Director of Mogilev Meat Plant:

- It is very pleasant that among the huge range of meat products our preference is given. One of our smoked sausages won a gold medal at the international competition “Best Product of the Year – 2026”. We produce stew in a wide range: beef, pork, ham, porridge with meat, pilaf. Products are in demand, so the volume of its production in 2027 we plan to double.

Andrey Belan, Head of Marketing Department of Mogotex:

- We are glad that our costumes are comfortable for searchers who perform an important mission: preserve historical memory, return from oblivion the names of dead soldiers. Our mission is to produce products – fabrics, sewing products in demand on the domestic and foreign markets – for which the consumer votes with the ruble.