I must apologize for a long absence guys. Apart from the university assignments I also involve with some historical related projects such as modding creation and testing, together with writing articles/contents for my fellow 'historical enthusiasts.' The biggest project of all these is being one of the researchers and writers for Frosty_1's future video games & their historical accuracy video on Youtube.

His YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@TheFrosty_1

His video with our mod projects: We Fixed CoD World at War's Historical Inaccuracies - YouTube

Although his next video is COD WW2 (now released! Listing Every Historical Inaccuracy in Call of Duty WW2 - YouTube) that I also participated in researching, the one I'm heavily involving with is the Call of Duty: Black Ops (first one, released in 2010) since it's one of my personal favorite video games that unfortunately plagued with a MASSIVE number of historical mistakes. Well, I'm certainly know that it's nearly impossible to create such an entertainment without any kind of flaw due to several reasons, since a deadline to political ones. However, this game is one of the 'special cases' that indeed deserve this kind of critic thanks to its unbearable amount of such flaws. I hope this could be at least a case study for those who interested in historical and especially Cold War stuff.

***UPDATED6: The video is released! Here - Listing Every Historical Inaccuracy in Call of Duty Black Ops - YouTube

As for the image, they're the history accurate depiction of the 1962/3 ~ 1968 Soviet units that deserve to be in the game at the first place. I personally made this for Frosty_1's video and for those who interest in history (Cold War period and such) in general. As for the information of these units, I'll start from the top:

1. Spetsnaz (GRU operatives)

In original version, Spetsnaz uniforms are completely anachronistic. For example:
- SSh-68 helmet (should be SSh-60, since the 68 version just start producing in 1968).
- The M88 olive afghanka jacket and pants (around 1983-85)
- Krapoviy/Crimson Beret, (UPDATE: probably maroon color version) existed among Soviet paratroopers or VDV in the mid/late 1960s and seems to have been implemented into a special force unit (with Crimson/bright red color) in 1978. Not to mentioned they also missing their insignia as well.
- 2nd pattern lifchik chest rig (1988).
- KZS camo suit (1975).

Notes:
- Spetsnaz is a word/term for "Special force" in Russian language. Not a name of specific military unit.
- More interesting info of Soviet's uniforms and equipment: Category:Soviet | Equipment Wiki | Fandom
- Crimson Beret (need Google Translate): Краповый берет Спецназа: как он появился (atributia.ru) and ОТЕЦ КРАПОВОГО БЕРЕТА (petrovka-38.com)

1.1) For Spetsnaz in some of 1968 missions (Crash Site, Pay Back, Rebirth, and Redemption) - KLMK uniform with "Splatter/Splotch" camo pattern with head gear variations and other proper gears. While "Sunshine rays" camo is optional. Since the camo and probably the suit itself were introduced in 1968 but could be acceptable for being 'prototype' reason. While for their gears, they could be: head gear variation (SSh-60 variants, Pilotka (field cap), etc.) + Telnyashka/Striped undershirt + RD-54 Backpack (appeared in Black Ops Cold War) + 6B1 Vest (uncommon amount among troops) + other proper gears and/or premium weapons like Spetsnaz machete and APS Stechkin.

Sources:
- Camo: camopedia.org/index.php?title=…
- www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia…
- i.ytimg.com/vi/y58qpsv52ZA/sdd…
- Image 2: ospreypublishing.com/ca/osprey…

1.2) For Spetsnaz in "Executive order" mission (Baikonur Cosmodrome, 1963) and they can appear in some of the 1968 missions as well - VDV (Soviet paratrooper) uniform: VDV jumping suit of 1959 + head gear variants + Telnyashka/Striped undershirt + RD-54 Backpack + 6B1 Armor Vest (uncommon amount among troops) + camo mask (uncommon) + other proper gears and/or premium weapons & gears like Spetsnaz machete/knife and APS Stechkin.

Sources:
- Some pics of VDV (no idea if this is the same Spetsnaz unit during an invasion or not) in Prague 1968: www.theatlantic.com/photo/2018…
- [Top left]: Spetsnaz 1968-2008 by camorus----234 on DeviantArt
- Image was originally from the Osprey Publishing's Spetsnaz: Russia’s Special Forces book - 107. (pinterest.com.au)

***As for above image/link, there's a source that provide an info which is showing TSh-M second model helmet w/ khaki color in the pic is incorrect for 1963 and 68 settings: TSh-4 | Equipment Wiki | Fandom. However, this image of VDV and tankist with the second model helmet in Prague 1968 saying otherwise: On this day 50 years ago (1968), the Soviet Union led Warsaw Pact troops in an invasion of Czechoslovakia to crack down on reformist trends. The picture shows Russian soldiers in Prague city center surrounded by protesting youths.[2048x1416] : HistoryPorn (reddit.com)

Also the aforementioned link with VDV troops (image 18): Photos: 50 Years Since a Soviet Invasion Ended the Prague Spring - The Atlantic

Plus, author of the Osprey Publishing's Spetsnaz: Russia’s Special Forces book also provide us a valuable info that Spetsnaz GRU dressed like VDV during the Invasion of Prague 1968. They are served as a spearhead unit to capture and secure the Ruzyne International Airport (present day Václav Havel Airport Prague) in the beginning stage of the invasion.

1.3) For Spetsnaz with fictional [Updated] CBR (cold war/old term) or NBC (modern term) suit in "Rebirth" mission (Vozrozhdeniya Island, 1968) it should be OZK Protective Coverall (OP-1 Coat + Overboots + Gloves) & ShM-41 gas mask.

Sources:
- www.russianwarrior.com/STMMain…
- gasmaskandrespirator.fandom.co…

1.4) For winter version in "WMD" mission (Yamantau), many of them could have white camo KLMK (fictional) with head gear variations (winter, Ushanka/fur hat included) or two Pieces white snow camo (WW2 style, still use in Cold War era). The rest can be great coat with head gear variations (winter).

Source (two Pieces white snow camo): www.tridentmilitary.com/Soviet…

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Lower section: Other historical appropriated Soviet units that could be appeared in the game:

2. Regular Army soldiers, based on the "Strategic Rocket/Missile Forces" that defend Baikunor Cosmodrome during Cold War era. Suitable for "Executive order" mission, 1963. Also, the "Military Unit 25484" which stationed on the Rebirth Island (1968) as well, according to certain historical photographs.

Uniform:
Regular field uniform: M43 uniform + SSh-60 helmet and other head gear variants + field 1943/Late WW2 styled shoulder boards (or 1950s-60s casual + ceremonial red/scarlet color) + WW2 or early cold war Sapogi/boots + other proper gears.

***[UPDATED1] With new information, those in Military Unit 25484 might have "BLACK COLOR" on their shoulder boards as it’s a color for those who serve in a “chemical and biological protection” unit, which is also the same color for artillery, engineer, and several other units in the Soviet military as well.

All according to colorized version of black and white pics that we have, and this uniform found on the island as well, although it features with artillery patch on the sleeve: A former city on a former island Behold the ruins of Aralsk-7, the site of a long-abandoned top-secret Soviet biological weapons lab — Meduza

Original sources will be provided below this entire No. 2 section.

***[UPDATED2] Although there is limited info on the unit and other personnel involved in operating the cosmodrome during that time, with all the additional info and pics we have gathered show us an assumption that there should be a quite huge number of variations among them. Such as a mix between rocket, engineering, and other related crews with Black insignia, air forces personnel including the ‘Cosmonauts’ with Sky Blue or Blue color, and possibly motorized or armored troops with Raspberry or Red color. Also note that some of these personnel can be seen attached with red armbands as well.

However, since the "Baikonur/Executive Order" and "Rebirth" mission takes place on November and February, respectively, then great coat might be suitable for them as well and in case if the date setting hasn't changed. Nevertheless, PanzerMan (my modder and historian friend) tell me that: "Usually this (when Soviets wear the winter uniforms) is the first or second week of October, but in reality, there are no exact instructions for everyone. It depends on the order of a particular commander. If it's still warm enough outside, the soldiers will continue to wear summer uniforms."

Sources (some need Google translation):
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om162B…
- www.vedomstva-uniforma.ru/form…
- cdn.discordapp.com/attachments…
- Mid/late WW2 shoulder boards: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military…
- 50s~60s shoulder boards: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military…
- Some pics with regular army soldiers at the Rebirth Island after a huge change on their uniforms in 1969 and shoulder boards in 1970s (judge from the "CA" shoulder boards and M69 uniforms): Abandoned Anthrax: Vozrozhdeniye Island - Sometimes Interesting (sometimes-interesting.com)

*[UPDATED] Baikonur crews' pics:
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=PipjZG… (7:28-30 , 8:33-34)
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOeuCY… (3:26-29 , 6:11-12)
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4elyu… (0:06 - 14 , 0:17 - 20) Red armbands (0:21 - 27)

Although we don’t know how much of the accuracy this movie has, the Gagarin "First in space" movie released in 2013 contained several kinds of interesting uniforms, including colors on their uniforms and insignia and even armbands that seem to match or identical with what we have found as well: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a39AVd…

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3. The prison guards in "Vorkuta" mission or AT LEAST the reinforcement in latter half of the mission should be "MVD" (Internal) troops. Base on the fact that they were the ones who dispersed the real riot in 1953.

Uniforms:

3.1) Regular field uniform: Dark khaki M43 uniform + MVD Enlisted Visor Cap (1955-69) and SSh-60 helmet + MVD 1959/60s shoulder boards (either field version or casual + ceremonial crimson/dark red one) - Field version + WW2 or early cold war Sapogi/boots + other proper gears.

3.2) Great Coat version: M43 or any early cold war version of Shinel/Greatcoat + MVD Enlisted Visor Cap (1955-69), SSh-60 helmet, Pilotka, and Urshanka (fur hat) + MVD 1959/60s shoulder boards (can be either "overcoat" or "field" versions) + MVD Overcoat's collar tab + WW2 or Early cold war Sapogi/boots + other proper gears.

Sources (some need Google translation):
- MVD uniforms: www.vedomstva-uniforma.ru/form…
- Possibly MVDs in Vorkuta (image 4): www.rferl.org/a/24905656.html
- MVD cap: www.undertheredstar.com/mvd.ht…
- 1960s MVD and KGB, KGB Borderguard in the later sections: ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A3%D…

Note:
Vorkuta prison camp (not the entire city) was closed down in 1962. So it's going to be conflicted with the mission's setting that set on October 6th, 1963. It might make more sense if the new riot went on in 1962 instead so we can assume this might be a reason why the camp was closed down. But due to the influence of Dragovich and tighter security, the news of this riot never made it out to the public unlike the previous one (1953).

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4. [*Optional] KGB Enlisted, could appear in few numbers in some mission like "Executive Order", "WMD" (optional), "Rebirth", and "Redemption" (optional).

Uniform:
Regular field uniform: Dark khaki M43 uniform + KGB Enlisted Visor Cap (1954-68) + KGB 1959/60s shoulder boards (either field version or casual + ceremonial bluish one) + WW2 or early cold war Sapogi/boots + other proper gears.

Sources:
- img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/3406/1…
- www.undertheredstar.com/kgb.ht…
- The aforementioned 1960s MVD and KGB, KGB Borderguard info (need Google translation).

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5. [*Optional] KGB Border Guard Enlisted, they can appear in "Rebirth" mission. And they can optionally appear in "Redemption" along with other units too.

Uniform (some need Google translation):
Regular field uniform: Dark khaki M43 uniform + KGB Border Guard Enlisted Visor Cap (1955-68) + KGB 1959/60s shoulder boards (either field version or casual + ceremonial greenish one) + WW2 or early cold war Sapogi/boots + other proper gears.

As Gicombat suggested, they should be appeared among Rebirth island's defenders together with regular army soldiers, Spetsnaz, and KGB troops (since it's a top-secret base). And they can wear either ShM-41 gas mask or GP-5 (civilian) gas mask, since they're mostly fighting in worker/residential areas.

Sources:
- www.undertheredstar.com/border…
- The aforementioned 1960s MVD and KGB, KGB Borderguard info (need Google translation).
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml5nXR… (at 1:14:33 ~ 1:14:46, not sure if they should wear the walk-out/ceremonial ver of the shoulder boards or not though I think it might be possible to do so)
- GP-5: gasmaskandrespirator.fandom.co…

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Extras (not in this pic):

1. As for the Spetsnaz troops with urban/civilian uniforms in "Numbers" mission (Kowloon, Hongkong, 1968), 2nd pattern lifchik chest rig (1988) on them should be replaced by RD-54 Backpack. And they should appear again in the "Redemption" mission as majority of the enemies on Rusalka ship and may be add more variety of uniforms like 'cargo ship crews' as well. As to hide their identity from other merchant ships that passing by.

2. For Soviet unit with seems to be fictional body armor (Vorkuta and Redemption missions). It should be soldiers wearing SN-42 body armor and/or 6B1 vest instead (MVD and Spetsnaz).

The steel breastplate of a soldier of the Red Army SN 42 (stalingradfront.com)

1957 UNIQUE 6B1 FIRST USSR armor vest MEGARARE, VDV, GRU, Afghanistan, STORM-333 [RESERVE] - DEPOTMILITARY.COM

3. The fictional Cuban Tropas with seem to be Cuban grey lizard pattern camo that emerged in the 1970s should be Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces soldiers (FAR) with regular field greenish uniform and field cap like in Black Ops Cold War.

Sources:
the-bay-of-pigs-cuba-1961-ed-2009.pdf (wordpress.com) and Algunas armas utilizadas durante la Invasión de Bahía de Cochinos | Aquellas armas de guerra (wordpress.com)

Cuba - Camopedia

Pic p.38 (a soldier behind Fidel Castro): the-bay-of-pigs-cuba-1961-ed-2009.pdf (wordpress.com)

4. Viet Cong (VC) in this game mostly wear the kind of uniforms that should be uncommon among them. They should wear regular uniforms that rare in the game with NVA headgears mix with their own. Some of the best examples of how they should be are all in Black Ops Cold War (callofduty.fandom.com/wiki/Vie… , gallery section). Optionally, regular dress options in Rising Storm 2: Vietnam as an inspiration.

5. According to Adrian Bari, the creator of the GOM4 mod for Rising Storm2: NVAs can be seen wearing ONLY white shade uniforms. In reality, during pre 1964 NVAs wore khaki uniforms but after that they changed to wearing the greenish ones. However, the dye method for their tunics vary, causing variations of fade and you would see some NVAs wearing pure white or yellow because of constant washing of their clothes. Together with certain historical sources including those from actual veterans, suggest that during the Mid-war period, the colors on NVA uniforms should be Khakis mixed with greenish, white, and may be with other variations of colors as well. In addition, NVAs in the game also wear fictional shoulder straps that seem to be based on Soviet uniforms.

Pics:
33 NĂM RỒI, CÒN TIẾNG SÚNG NÀO VANG?.. « Mai Thanh Hải (wordpress.com)

Quân phục QĐND Việt Nam giai đoạn 1945-1974 (tinbiendong.com)

6. There should be soldiers of ‘Pathet Lao’ featured in 'Crash site' mission and later in 'Payback' mission. Since the protagonists are fighting between Laos and the Vietnam border during this mission and later literally in Laos. Pathet Lao also received some interesting weapons earlier than the Vietnamese in reality, like Dragunov in 1968, and quite larger numbers of certain weapons like Czech VZ-58. According to Adrian Bari again, for their uniforms: They wear pretty much the same Chinese uniform as the NVA; with the exception of epaulettes and no rear pockets for the pants.

Sources:
North Vietnamese Soldiers Train Pathet Lao near Sam Neua (1970) - YouTube

The Laotian Problem – Fix Bayonets! (fixbayonetsusmc.blog)

7. The Soviet diving suits in the last mission (Redemption, can be seen inside the cabinets for diving equipment) looks more like a modern civilian-used one. With our further research, we believe the suit should be the diver’s suit GK-3 instead (1st pic): Modern Russian diving helmets (divingheritage.com)

Also, the yellow oxygen tanks we can find in several places throughout this mission should be replaced by the accurate blue tank attached with “KIP-5” NAVAL OXYGEN EMERGENCY SURVIVAL KIT instead.

Pics (blue oxygen tank): Противогаз военный кислородный изолирующий КИП-5 (protivogas.ru) and KIP-5 Naval oxygen emergency survival kit, 1941- Gasmasks & Related (aboutww2militaria.com)

8. The last two/three Spetsnaz at the end of Executive Order (Baikonur) mission wear a gasmask which is likely to be a weird combination between ММ-1 and civilian issued GP-5 gas masks connected with GP-5 filter canister. [Update] Or even worse, the French's ANP M51/53. For the proper (military) one, we’d suggest a proper MM-1 or ShM-41 connected with EO-16 filter by a standard Soviet hose.

MM-1 | Gas Mask and Respirator Wiki | Fandom
GP-5 | Gas Mask and Respirator Wiki | Fandom
ShM-41 | Gas Mask and Respirator Wiki | Fandom
ANP M51 | Gas Mask and Respirator Wiki | Fandom

More of historical stuff I made (some of them are pretty crazy, I know): https://www.deviantart.com/fereise-da/gallery/80303759/historical-stuffs

[Updated] Similar thing I did for COD WaW's Vendetta mission: COD WaW Revisioned: Vendetta by FeReise-DA on DeviantArt