During that era of the Second World War [WW2] the Soviet soldier instantaneously recognizable at a distance, even to the most casual of observers, the Soviet troop characteristically either wearing his issued greatcoat or carrying same as a bedroll AT ALL TIMES.
And WOE to that Soviet soldier that would either lose or misplace his great coat. Probably the punishment a severe sentence of military penal servitude of a very harsh nature!
Soviet troops on the march, October 1945, Korea. That bedroll the folded greatcoat tied at the bottom and worn across the left shoulder cross-body style. The soldier in an unimpeded manner able to fire his rifle from the right shoulder as taught!
That military greatcoat folded as a bedroll referred to as a "skatka".
Thanks to the Soviet/Russian military re-enactor web site "13th Guards Rifle Division "Poltavaskaya" we have those exact instruction on how to fold and tie the greatcoat as to be worn as the cross-body bedroll! [scroll down to # 4]
4. Shinel "Skatka" bedroll:
That Red Army troop required to sleep on the open ground wearing his greatcoat, NO sleeping bag either issued or thought to be even necessary.
That same soldier while on the offensive and moving forward to the greatest degree possible told to forage for himself if possible, otherwise GO HUNGRY!
Make yourself self-sufficient or DO WITHOUT!
NO ONE ever said being a soldier in the Soviet/Russian or even the Czarist army before that was ever easy!