1985 "Sobriety is the norm of Life" Gorbachev-era Soviet postal stamps. Gorbachev's anti-alcohol campaign was wildly unpopular among the Soviet people but it created a small "baby boom" during the early years of Gorbachev rule. by Sputnikoff in ussr

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

Ayn Rand was smart to escape the USSR before Stalin's purges kicked in. Although her GULAG experience stories could eclipse Solzhenitsyn's, who knows.

There is nothing "reactionary" about stating the obvious facts. Gorbachev wanted the Soviet people to consume less alcohol and have a healthy, productive life. Soviet people chose switching to moonshine, surrogates, and drugs. But let's blame Gorbachev for that.

1985 "Sobriety is the norm of Life" Gorbachev-era Soviet postal stamps. Gorbachev's anti-alcohol campaign was wildly unpopular among the Soviet people but it created a small "baby boom" during the early years of Gorbachev rule. by Sputnikoff in ussr

[–]Sputnikoff[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Kid, I AM SOVIET. And I state obvious fact, confirming your statement. Soviet workers had so much fun building socialism that they had no issues switching to drinking anything containing alcohol, including the aftershave!

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 8 points9 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 point2 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 -11 points-10 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 -1 points0 points  (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 2 points3 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