My Soviet childhood in photos. Episode 1. "Militarism, sports, space"

Some 30 years ago, taking a photo was an invent. Sometimes we went to professional photo salons and transformed into pilots, navy officers and Russian Hussars.

A classy photo outfit

Militarism was promoted widely. Luckily, I was able to avoid military service...

Singing Viktor Tsoy's "Gruppa Krovi" [Blood Type] song

Late 1980s were accompanied by inter-ethnic conflicts, which meant that soldiers - peacekeepers - were patrolling the streets. I made friends with them.

I was fascinated by people in unifroms

They let me wear their helmets. A bit heavy...

The damn thing is heavy!

But I liked other helmets too. Here is some hockey without ice or snow!

Everyone had a hockey stick stored on their balconies for some reason

More helmets...

Looking dazed, but prepared for anything!

And space exploration, of course!

Ready to depart for distant planets