What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS) American school student and peace activist Samantha Smith during her stay at the Artek International Children’s Center, 1983
Valery Zufarov and Alexander Obukhovsky / TASS
Let’s take a look at some revealing photos depicting how the Soviet Union looked 40 years ago.

A car driving past a Yury Andropov portrait on a Moscow street.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Vladimir Sergienko/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

After Leonid Brezhnev, it was Yury Andropov who was tasked with kissing foreign leaders (and particularly East German leader, Erich Honecker, in the photo).

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Yury Abramochkin/russiainphoto.ru

American school girl Samantha Smith visiting a pioneer camp in Crimea. Read more about her Soviet-related story here.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Yury Abramochkin / Sputnik

Famous poets Andrei Voznesensky (L) and Andrei Dementiev chatting in the ‘Yunost’ (‘Youth’) magazine’s office. 

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Yury Sadovnikov/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

The first sounds of freedom: Soviet people dancing to live jazz music.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Alexander Zabrin/russiainphoto.ru

This is how an ordinary Soviet male WC looked like!

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Alexander Zabrin/russiainphoto.ru

In 1983, Vladimir Lenin was still an idol. Below, a sculptor is making final touches to a bust of the leader of the 1917 Revolution. 

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Alexander Zabrin/russiainphoto.ru

A group of enthusiasts skiing, one of the most popular national sports. 

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Cherepovets Museum Union/russiainphoto.ru

Plant workers celebrating the production of the 100 millionth ton of pig iron at the Cherepovets Mechanical Plant with a group photo.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Cherepovets museum union

Teenagers hanging out in the GUM department store in Moscow.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Igor Stomakin/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Legendary ballerina Galina Ulanova pictured near the portrait of the legendary ballerina Anna Pavlova.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Alexander Rubashkin/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

National pop star Alla Pugacheva in rehearsal. In 1983, her famous song ‘Million Roses’ was released (You can listen to it here!).

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Alexander Rubashkin/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Workers practicing their aim in a shooting gallery during a lunch break.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Vladimir Sokolayev/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

WELCOME! Ladies taking a rest in a park pavilion in Siberia.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Vladimir Sokolayev/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Young pioneers petting man’s best friend.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Vladimir Sokolayev/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

People participating in Labor Day demonstrations in the city of Novokuznetsk (The banner in the front reads ‘Liquor-Vodka Distillery’).

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Vladimir Sokolayev/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

A woman carrying a banner saying ‘Happiness’ rushes to a Labor Day demonstration.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Vladimir Sokolayev/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Russian billiards was one of the most popular types of men’s entertainment.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Vladimir Vorobiev/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Ladies having a swimming lesson at a local swimming pool in Siberia.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Vladimir Sokolayev/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Tourists strolling on Moscow’s Red Square.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Yury Rybchinsky/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Thousands celebrating Maslenitsa at an open fair.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Vladimir Sokolayev/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Female employees partaking in a short exercise at their workplace.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Vladimir Sokolayev/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Happy Soviet childhood: Kids enjoying an ice cream in a park.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Vladimir Vorobiev/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Pioneers keen on ship modeling waiting for their turn.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Valery Shchekoldin/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Spring Moscow vibes: residents relaxing in a park.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Vadim Kachan/russiainphoto.ru/russiainphoto.ru

A ballerina preparing herself backstage at the Bolshoi Theater.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Vladimir Vyatkin/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Young soviet skateboarders fooling around.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Pavel Sukharev/russiainphoto.ru

A student from friendly Africa doing some P.E. exercises with Russian students.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Georgy Rozov/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

A sneak peek into a private Russian banya.

What Russia was like in 1983 (PHOTOS)
Viktor Akhlomov/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

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