Soviet sailors enjoy good old Portsmouth knees-up during Cold War | Nostalgia

The Russian sailors were made welcome across the city for the visit of the destroyer Obraztsovy in 1976.
Workers at the Metal Box factory, Copnor, wasted no time in introducing Russian guests from the Obraztsovy to an English knees-up, 1976. Picture: The News PP5040Workers at the Metal Box factory, Copnor, wasted no time in introducing Russian guests from the Obraztsovy to an English knees-up, 1976. Picture: The News PP5040
Workers at the Metal Box factory, Copnor, wasted no time in introducing Russian guests from the Obraztsovy to an English knees-up, 1976. Picture: The News PP5040

But it wasn’t all plain sailing.

As their ship arrived a group of protesters campaigning to allow Russian Jews to emigrate, demonstrated on the Round Tower and later in Guildhall Square as senior officers were received in the Guildhall.

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