A Soviet-Armenian Soldier’s Album Found During an Urbex Tour

A rare Soviet-era soldier’s album discovered during an urbex tour in Armenia. Photographs and hand-drawn illustrations offer an intimate look into military service, everyday life, and personal memories of a Soviet-Armenian conscript from 1981 to 1983. This is raw, uncensored micro-history—not propaganda, not official archives, but real soldier life seen from the inside.

During my urbex tours, I carefully study historic photos and documents left behind by former workers—whether in culture houses or factories. During one of these explorations, I came across a fascinating album that once belonged to a Soviet-Armenian soldier. They were often called demobilization albums (дембельский альбом). Soldiers created them during the last months of service or right after discharge.

I carefully photographed every page to preserve it for future generations and to show how such personal albums once looked.

On the cover, there was a photo with the inscription:«Присягу принял на Зееловских высотах, 3 июня 1979 г.»“Took the military oath at the Seelow Heights, June 3, 1979.”

Each album was handmade and deeply personal.

It contained photographs from his military service along with several hand-painted illustrations. Photography was limited and controlled. Printing photos wasn’t easy. Drawing filled the gaps—and also showed skill, patience, and personality.

On the title page, another note read:«Память о службе. Ереван–Вапуики, 1981–1983, осень.»“In memory of service. Yerevan–Vapuiki, 1981–1983, autumn.”

Further inside, I found the following inscription:«730 дней в едином строю.»“730 days in one formation.”

Apart from personal photos of the album’s owner, it also included images of his fellow soldiers, as well as hand-painted drawings of girls, a soldier hugging and kissing a girl, fighter jets, and a well-known cartoon character—the Wolf from “Ну, погоди!” (“Just You Wait!”), the famous Soviet animated series produced by Soyuzmultfilm.

On the last page, I saw a photo of Soviet Minister of Defence Dmitry Ustinov and read the following inscription:

«ВВ МВД СССР».

Internal Troops of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs.

On the left page, an intriguing painting caught my eye: a train entering a military boot and bursting out of it, tearing the boot apart.

I’m Suren, a professional urban explorer in Armenia. I offer unique urbex tours to abandoned, hidden, and off-the-map places you won’t find in guidebooks. Want a custom itinerary? Contact me on WhatsApp or Telegram.