orders!

Pride

What else is there to do? competition between squads?

Because they needed busy work?

1 reason, a real one, when you're playing in the snow, you're not cleaning toilets.

Soldiers should always be busy. That's the point of view of any military officer in Russia. Oh, and don't forget about one of the main principles an Russian army - the principle of uniformity! They found this beautiful. Strict order of things, stuff etc etc...