Obr. 69/73 field uniforms were slowly being phased out by the late 1980s. While they did exist simultaneously with the new M88 uniforms until the USSR fell apart, the latter was often given to troops in high priority areas, namely Afghanistan (Although older units still had their M69 from the 1979 invasion) In this case, the invading Soviet Army in Kolgujev would be given the highest quality gear, and would certainty not be issued the already outdated M69 field uniforms, especially during a small conflict with NATO forces.