CONDITIONS AT MURMANSK

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A001200600007-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 6, 2009
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: May 15, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2009/03/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001200600007-5
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Suctions 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
SECRET/CONTROL-US OFFICIALS ONLY
SE URITY INFORMATION
COUNTRY USSR (Murmansk Oblast)
SUBJECT Conditions at Murmansk
REPORT
DATE DISTR. 15 May 1953
NO. OF PAGES 2
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
Population
2. The inhabitants, especially those living in the outskirts of the town,
looked neglected and poor. 'Their fades were glum and their looks mistrust-
ful. Even over a glass of vodka they remained secretive and reserved;
they were also depressed., and tried to find forgetfulness and consolation
in vodka. They started drinking early in the days Along the road from
the shipyard to the town-there were many booths selling vodka, cigarettes,
and snacks. These booths were encountered more frequently as one came
nearer to the city. Posters praising Stalin were displayed above those
advertising vodka. The Soviets drank their vodka from a tumbler, at the
boc k;customers included naval and army officers and workers, who l .y
around the booths in a drunken state. There were also many drunks in the
center of town. Policemen tocak no action when they saw drunks going past
on all fours and singing. They interfered only if afight started,
Streets and Fiousin&
The streets and houses were neglected. Houses were mainly of wood and
had no drainage or running water. The buckets used by the women to carry
water were a horrible sight. In 1949 there were also a few neat, stone
houses, but by 1952 the appearance of the town had changed greatly. A
new quarter, containing numerous, modern, six-story houses,had been built,
with a main street called Prospekt Stalina. Many of the streets had been
asphalted.
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Approved For Release 2009/03/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001200600007-5
 Approved For Release 2009/03/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001200600007-5
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Clothing
4. Uniform was the most common form of dress; besides military personnel
there were railroadmen, postmen, etc, in uniform. Generally, not only
workers but alli-eivilians:h.ad a drab appearance. Women wore babushkas;
only in the very center of town did one see women wearing hats and
gloves. Female workers wore the same clothing as men, i.e., trousers
and jackets,
Young eople
5. The young people spent most of their time in- the street, there ware
L no sports for them. Children were ne2lected.--_
children fotir to six years. oldi,begging for cigarettes.
Attitude toward Foreigners
Distrust of foreigners was very great, and the atti-
tude toward Americans was particularly hostile. Poles also were
approached with great reserve. One was always conscious of the Soviets'
inferiority complex.
Attitude toward the Regime
People were intimidated and
8. The buses re in bad
repair dirty, and always full, but in September
1952 some modern buses. There were a number of passenger cars
in the town,-mostly military vehicles.
Dockworkers
9. Dockworkers worked twelve-hour shifts when loading ships. A Polish
ships officer tried to persuade a dockworker to come aboard his ship:
for a meal, but the worker refused; when offered bread and sausages
he hesitated momentarily and then took them and put them in his pocket.
Prices
10. Some prices were:
Cigarettes, better quality
Vodka
Watch, ugly, with colored dial
Iron bedstead
6-8 rubles for 20
25 rubles per half-liter
50 rubles in 1949
500 rubles
400 rubles
Sugar was very expensive. Polish seamen, sold sugar in order to
obtain Soviet currency,
Restaurant
the smart and well-known restaurant.Arktika. which
Soviet officers dancing with each other, instead of in-
viting the women present to be their partners.
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Approved For Release 2009/03/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001200600007-5