Dear Friends!

In the past we have interviewed a former English soldier, a veteran of Afghanistan, also a collector of Cold War memorabilia, and Hungarian armed forces, and found out that there are some collectors abroad, who are interested in the history, equipment, and weapons of the Hungarian soldiers. This time we’re presenting you a young Russian collector, Mr. Vsevolod Chirkov, who have got dozens of Cold War era uniforms, one is the full kit of the Hungarian LRRP soldier from around 1987. The interview has been arranged and conducted by one of our newest members, Attila Pap, who is also interested in the history of Soviet forces in Hungary, and researches this topic extensively.

Recon Blog: Thank you for your interview in advance! Please tell me something about you!

Vsevolod Chirkov: Hello everybody! My name is Vsevolod, I’m 19 years old. I am from Surgut, Siberia, but currently studying and living in Moscow. I am second year student of Moscow law academy of Kutafin (МГЮА им Кутафина) - specialist lawyer in National Security. Haven’t served in the army.

R. B.: Are you more of a collector or re-enacting?

V. C.: I am mostly collector.

R. B.: What do you think about Hungarian re-enactment?

V. C.: I think that it is great that in Hungary the re-enactment of its own armed forces and also the Soviet army is so popular. I am really sad, that we are so far located and it is difficult to visit each other for events.

R. B.: What do you think about Russian re-enactment?

V. C.: I think that our re-enactment is one of the biggest and most expensive in the world. Also there are only a few popular themes - WW2 and Afghanistan, but there could be many more conflicts to re-enact.

R. B.: How long are you in re-enacting and collecting?

V. C.: I am in reenactment for the 4th year

R. B.: What is your favourite era?

V. C.: It is difficult to answer. I think local wars with Soviet/Russian participation between 1968 – 1999

R. B.: What is your favourite uniform?

V. C.: I have many uniforms - about 65 of them. My favourite is the M1969 woolly black uniform of Soviet naval infantry, because it really looks beautiful.

Vsevolod Chirkov in Soviet Naval Infantry uniform

R. B.: How come you have been in television?

V. C.: I took part in a WW2 project, where I have talked about my hobby, so they have decided to make a small interview about my hobby, because it is not so popular where I have lived.

Vsevolod Chirkov and his collection in television

R. B.: What do you think about Hungarian paratroopers?

V. C.: I can’t say much, because I don’t know much, as Warsaw Pact era countries are not popular in Russia. Maybe only the DDR is an exception, so it is difficult to find any information, but I think that it was one of the combat ready VDV units in the Warsaw Pact.

R. B.: How have you got your Hungarian uniforms? Why have you chosen to do a paratrooper impression?

V. C.: I met Peter Gal from Hungary, I bought a few things from him, and asked him, if he can help me to make a small set of Hungarian army during Cold War. He helped. Firstly it was the kit of Hungarian motorized infantry, then I decided to try make it VDV for our Cold War airsoft project, as there are only Soviet and DDR armies represented from the Warsaw Pact block. I also want to have a Polish kit in the future.

Hungarian LRRP in Russia

R. B.: Do you need help in your collection?

V. C.: I need much help. It is difficult to find pieces, also I need to know how to wear them and so on.

R. B.: Have you ever been to Hungary? Would you like to return?

V. C.: Yes, I was in Hungary in 2014 on Heviz lake and visited Budapest. Yes, I want to visit again.

R. B.: How many jumps you have?

V. C.: Only one jump and I want more! :-) :-)

Before jump in period correct equipment and with weapon

R. B.: Would you tell us about your jump?

V. C.: I made my first jump from an AN-2 plane from an altitude of 800 meters with an army parachute D-6. jumped in February in conditions of low clouds, the feeling was that we were flying into the void. I liked the experience. (Although I expected more).

Jump book with one jump in it

R. B.: Have you talked with Hungarian paratroopers?

V. C.: No, I only know three Hungarians - you are one of them.

R. B.: What is the bad side of the Hungarian parachutist uniform, and documents? What is the good side?

V. C.: I can say one good side - all pouches are made with zippers - easy to open and close.

R. B.: Have Russia got other Hungarian reenactment groups in this era?

V. C.: No, I think I am the only one.

R. B.: Would you like to work with Hungarian collectors, re-enactors, and veterans?

V. C.: Yes, international friendship is great and interesting. Also in our new Cold War time it is necessary to be open to the world, to say to the world that in Russia there live normal people too, and we won’t clean our army boots in the La Manche Channel! :-)

- Attila Pap -