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Since I started tuning I have worked on 2 Soviet pianos. The first one was really bad- pins loose and action a mess. I can’t remember the name of it.

This one today was a Smolensk and I was pretty pleased with it. Sounded decent and action was easy to work with. The tone was muffled, but the owners were okay with it. I studied Russian for three years, so I was able to translate some of the info for them. They didn’t even know they had a Russian piano.

I live in Southern California and I find it amazing that these pianos ended up so far from Mother Russia.

Heard of 'em but have never seen one.

The Yartsevo Musical Instrument Factory made very low-grade pianos always. Sometimes it was really super hard pins there. I met a few that pianos. But ALWAYS there is a chance to break the bass string. Timbre there as closing pillow sound always. Very unpleasantly and quiet too.
"SMOLENSK" on your photo is one of the last made here, because 1991 is on the label. Then the USSR collapsed and the factory went bankrupt. Now here is a dump.
Ilya tuning his piano "SMOLENSK" like on yours foto. His piano was made in 1987.

Another local tech bought a couple of Russian uprights on spec. I think that the veneer was photo-embossed vinyl. There was so much downbearing that there was heavy deflection in the strings even though the ribs were pressed hard against the back posts. It sounded like it too.

"In Soviet Russia piano wire break YOU."

OK, sorry, I'm done now. I have trouble holding back when I see an opportunity for a good Russian Reversal.

it's don't break ME never!

Beware the Soviet piano. Like Google, it is in your home to spy on you!😲

At the same time, somewhere in Russia: "O no! Not again! Please, no more slow practice! I am so bored..."