Soviet command was against the appearance of any publications with photos that featured the shoes. Reuters
Russia Beyond: Why the Soviet Special Forces loved Adidas - and how they tried to hide it
Adidas sneakers were a mainstay in the Soviet Olympic team. Then, the shoes were sold under a completely different name. Later, however, they were seen being worn by the Spetsnaz in Afghanistan.
Despite the Soviet Union’s official disdain for all things Western, there was actually an active and close partnership between the USSR and the “amoral” West. The ties were, of course, never acknowledged publicly, but their proof remains in foreign media and the Soviet internal archives. Adidas was one of these points of convergence.
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WNU Editor: Two of my cousins served in special forces in the Soviet-Afghan war. Even to this day they still love their Adidas.
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear their stories.
Back in my teenage years, it was leather Converse Pros - White leather high tops. Then it was checkered Vans - like in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High".
ReplyDeleteNow its just a pair of dark blue Asics Runners. One after the other.
Anon
ReplyDeleteI posted a few of their stories a few years back.
One of my uncles served as a senior military officer in that war. When I first started this blog I quoted him on what the U.S. should do in Afghanistan. It was around 2010, and his advice was that the U.S. and NATO should get out ASAP.