Did the Russians love the '80s too? Some revealing photos

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

The '80s weren't a great time for those living in the U.S.S.R., although those living in Moscow had it better than most. As the rest of the country dealt with bread and meat rations, those living in the capital had access to fruit (sometimes), soda (a treat) and could even see a movie (if you had the money). Here's a look at the "good life" offered by the Soviets during the '80s.

A Bus Station

Advertisement
Advertisement

A Ferris Wheel

An orange was a rarely-seen exotic fruit in the '80s Soviet Union.

Advertisement

Block Housing

Fashion

Advertisement

Building Propaganda

Market Hall

Advertisement

Street Cleaning

A Flower Seller

Advertisement

One of the Seven Sisters

Roadside Fruit Stand

Advertisement

(Via English Russia)

_______

A Fanta Soda Kiosk

Advertisement

The Melodiya Record Store

(Via Patrick Murphy/PBase)

_______

Insoles Store

Advertisement

The GUM (a.k,a, the State Department Store), facing the Red Square.

Waiting in Line

Advertisement

The Mir Cinema in Zagorsk (now Sergiyev Posad).

"Glory to Labor!"

Advertisement

(Via English Russia)

_______

A Dairy Store

Advertisement

(Via Patrick Murphy/PBase)

_______

A Theatre

Advertisement

Limousines in Front of the Kremlin

Advertisement

The Lenin Mausoleum

_______

The photos were taken by Aad van der Drift in 1984 and 1988, except when noted otherwise.