https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTj9-X7-Jw0
Looking at the uniforms, the training methods, the type of training (karate, gymnastics, SAMBO), it was the late-1980s. The flashing lights, controlling the lighting to create a sense of darkness, use of flame in the training aids, in one of the segments was an attempt to reinforce techniques learned earlier and to temper the cadets psychologically – to not be distracted during the execution of the technique.
It is an interesting look at training at the end of an era. When people talk about Russian martial arts, they think about what they know from commercial advertisements and often don’t get past the thing they see. Fortunately, the internet works for us as well as against us. The information is interesting if you have the mind for how “martial arts” were practiced during different periods of history and in different countries.
It was propaganda of a kind – motivation. This movie was a condensation of what a cadet would experience during his time at the MVD (Ministry of the Interior = internal army/paramilitary police). After seeing something like this, every student open to being in the internal troops would want to ask for assignment during his conscription or apply to their academy if recommended by the local officials. Be all you can be… In the Soviet MVD.