Learning ultimate survival skills in SIberia. Picture: Central Military District

Soldiers from the People's Liberation Army - the world's largest military force - have been taught survival skills by hermits from this Orthodox sect based on centuries of experience and wisdom.

The ancestors of today's Old Believers retreated to Siberia in the late 17th century to avoid persecution after a schism in the church.

Cutting themselves off from modernity, they continue to live by traditional ways honed over many generations with survival not depending on guns and gadgets but on man's ability to understand nature, helped by God.

The Chinese soldiers were fascinated - for example - on being taught to catch burbot with improvised fishing tackle in gushing taiga rivers in the Western Sayan mountain range on the border between Tyva republic and Krasnoyarsk region.

They were also taught to forage for food, and to hunt: the Old Believers are skilled trackers and hunters.

But they do not eat game with legs, such as hares or bears, yet do consume the meat of cloven-hoofed animals. Forest birds and fish are also allowed, as are nuts and berries.

'A group of senior and junior officers of the People's Liberation Army of China was moved to a specialised training centre Ergaki by helicopter, given Russian uniforms and landed in the taiga mountains with no cell phone coverage or other amenities - and covered with snow for nine months a year,' said Colonel Yaroslav Roshchupkin, assistant to the commander-in-chief of the Central Military Region.

'Old believers taught our Chinese guests basic survival skills in wild Siberia: how to get geographical bearings, overcome mountains, canyons and water obstacles, start a fire, build a shelter, and provide medical help.'



Old Believers - whose ancestors cut themselves off from the world - teach troops how to live without the props of modern life. Pictures: Central Military District

For several years the Russian military has tapped the knowledge of Old Believers, and now train 700 soldiers annually at the Yergaki complex in the south of Krasnoyarsk region.

Typically, Old Believers might survive by hunting elk and wild boar for meat, sable and squirrels for pelts, while also growing wheat and flax and keeping bees.

The Chinese forces were shown a glimpse of a special Siberian culture.

The Old Believers do not drink or smoke and usually prefer to limit interaction with people from the outside world.

Children are often taught at home or by visiting teachers so as not to be tainted by the world.

Guests are served food using dishes and cutlery set aside for the unclean.



For several years the Russian military has tapped the knowledge of Old Believers, and now train 700 soldiers annually at the Yergaki complex in the south of Krasnoyarsk region. Pictures: Central Military District

Old Believer men grow long beards and wear traditional tunics. Women wear long sarafan dresses and mandatory head scarves.

Religious fasts are strictly observed.

They not smoke or drink alcohol while tea and coffee is considered a sin.

VIDEO courtesy Central Military District