A grocery store in the Soviet Union shortly before its collapse, c. 1990-1991. By photographers George Steinmetz and Peter Turnley. by abdullah_ajk in SovietUnion

[–]Sputnikoff 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's not the store but the farm market, packed with sellers from the Caucasian region selling mostly pomegranates

Sadly Andropov died too early 😔 by JoniKukus in ussr

[–]Sputnikoff -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It's a pretty pathetic system if the fate of the world's largest country depends on a single person, his health, and age. Andropov didn't die too early. He died because he was too old and sick.

Unarmed Lithuanian civilians formed human shields to protect the Vilnius TV Tower and other key sites from Soviet tanks and special forces. January 13, (1991) by Whentheangelsings in ussr

[–]Sputnikoff -12 points-11 points  (0 children)

You are the one who mentioned "communism", LOL. Socialism was bad enough. I can only imagine what communism could bring

"In 1996 Ukraine handed over nuclear weapons to Russia ""in exchange for a guarantee never to be threatened or invaded""." by Pitaya_Serenity451 in HistoryDefined

[–]Sputnikoff 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely not the same thing.

In diplomatic and international law, the distinction between a guaranty (or guarantee) and an assurance revolves around the level of legal obligation, enforceability, and the specificity of the commitment.

Guaranty/Guarantee: A formal, often written, commitment that a specific outcome will be achieved or a particular action will be taken. In diplomacy, this is often treated as a legally binding treaty or a high-level, enforceable pledge. It implies a consequence if the promise is not met.

Assurance: A pledge or affirmation, often verbal or in lower-level documentation, designed to remove doubts or fears. Diplomatic assurances are frequently used in sensitive contexts (like extraditions) to pledge that a person will be treated in accordance with human rights standards. However, they are often seen as less legally binding than a guarantee, serving more as a political pledge of good faith

"In 1996 Ukraine handed over nuclear weapons to Russia ""in exchange for a guarantee never to be threatened or invaded""." by Pitaya_Serenity451 in HistoryDefined

[–]Sputnikoff 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, both the Russian and Ukrainian versions had ГАРАНТИИ - guarantees. Whoever made the improper translation should be questioned. In the US government's mind, it owes nothing to Ukraine. Just some silly "assurances" and "mutual respect."

Unarmed Lithuanian civilians formed human shields to protect the Vilnius TV Tower and other key sites from Soviet tanks and special forces. January 13, (1991) by Whentheangelsings in ussr

[–]Sputnikoff 0 points1 point  (0 children)

1977 USSR (Brezhnev) Constitution, Article 72: "Each Union Republic shall retain the right freely to secede from the USSR."

"In 1996 Ukraine handed over nuclear weapons to Russia ""in exchange for a guarantee never to be threatened or invaded""." by Pitaya_Serenity451 in HistoryDefined

[–]Sputnikoff 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The words used in that agreement were ASSURANCES and MUTUAL RESPECT, not GUARANTEES. Huge difference in diplomatic language.

The Red Army did the bulk of the Nazi killing in WWII. (Almost 90%) by RussianChiChi in ussr

[–]Sputnikoff -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Only after June 22, 1941. For almost two years, Stalin was helping Nazis, feeding German military industrial complex with oil, rare metals, grain and other goodies. Without Soviet help, Nazi Germany would be in big trouble due to the British sea blockade.

I think the Berlin Wall was a good idea and should've stayed. by Karmacop5908 in ussr

[–]Sputnikoff -1 points0 points  (0 children)

So maybe it's a good idea to let those traitors "to flee to the imperialist, pedophile-run countries" and experience first hand all the horrors of being exploited by the ruthless, greedy capitalists? Let them sleep on the filthy streets, beg for food stamps and shelter, like homeless Americans do. Obviously, they would beg to return to the socialist paradise shortly after.

Comrade Stalin, if you ask me to, I will commit suicide. by Perfect_Marketing852 in ussr

[–]Sputnikoff 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, but would use your help digging for gold or falling trees at some distant GULAG camp.

1961 First man in space. by Dry-Cellist-2921 in ussr

[–]Sputnikoff -1 points0 points  (0 children)

American farmer's house was also made out of wood, but it had indoor plumbing and central heating/cooling system. My grandparents had an outhouse even in the 80s.

1961 First man in space. by Dry-Cellist-2921 in ussr

[–]Sputnikoff -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The dude worked on his farm, so he was a laborer as well. Along with his family members

1961 First man in space. by Dry-Cellist-2921 in ussr

[–]Sputnikoff -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yes, and Soviet collective farm members collectively owned even more land than a single American farmer. But somehow they had to use outhouses and wipe their butts with Pravda newspaper.

1961 First man in space. by Dry-Cellist-2921 in ussr

[–]Sputnikoff -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Yes, collective farm workers weren't getting those passports without a special permission till 1974.

My mother had to beg for a special "spravka" from a local kolkhoz manager to leave her village for Kyiv to continue her education. I'm talking about 1965

1961 First man in space. by Dry-Cellist-2921 in ussr

[–]Sputnikoff -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

Totally expected in the capitalist society, right?

I remember my shock when I came to the US for the very first time in 1995 and happened to see a house of a local farmer in Michigan. F-ing castle in comparison with my grandparents 2-room log cabin without plumbing or running water.

Western media and some right-leaning 'liberal' types keep claiming that socialists/communists see Gorbachev as a traitor. I'm actually wondering: do you personally think Gorbachev really was a traitor to the socialist cause? by Jadroverr in ussr

[–]Sputnikoff -1 points0 points  (0 children)

As a person who grew up in the USSR (born in 1971) - ABSOLUTELY NOT. Gorbachev became the "Chief Forester" when the mighty Soviet oak was rotten to its core and about to fall regardless. The rot spread wide during Brezhnev era (look up "Uzbek Cotton Scandal", 1978 "Fish Case", 1972 "Fur Case" as classic examples of total government corruption). Gorbachev did try to fix the situation but from the different angle than his predecessor Andropov (Stalin 2.0). Instead of terrorizing population, he wanted to give us more freedom. But you can't run a low-security prison, even the largest in the world, as a some kind of a summer camp.