Was Russian Language Dominant in the Soviet Union? - Cold War DOCUMENTARY

When I was a Russian Language Analyst with the Army during the Cold War in Germany, I listened to conversations of Russian Soldiers trying to maintain their Land Lease American trucks. Many, being non-Russians had serious trouble communicating repair parts needs with each other. Besides being mechanically challenged by poor Soviet education, they had to communicate with each other in Russian when Russian wasn't their native language. The Russification of education in the late 1930's, as the threat of Germany developed, was intended to make it possible for non-Russian soldiers to follow orders. When I was stationed in Germany in 1957-58, I observed that not only were the non-Russian soldiers struggling with communications but at the same time trying to read the English nomenclature plates on American trucks as they had to cannibalize them for spare parts. I loved the video. Brought me back to the Cold War days of my Russian Studies and time in the late 50's and early 60's in Germany.

When I worked for Radio Liberty during the Cold War days in Munich, we broadcast to the Soviet Union in about 30 non-Russian languages.