Amidst the crisis, the cosmonauts found a unique way to cope with the stress. Russian space traditions included bringing cognac aboard for long-duration missions.

Russian cosmonauts drank alcohol hours after a near-disaster on Mir space station

In July 1991, Krikalev was asked to remain aboard Mir as a flight engineer for the next incoming crew arriving on Soyuz TM-13. He agreed, a decision that would unexpectedly leave him isolated in orbit as geopolitical events on Earth unfolded. 

Stranded in space: The cosmonaut who left the USSR and returned to a new country!

Former British astronaut Helen Sharman has told a magazine that "aliens exist" while asserting that "we simply can't see them". Sharman, 56, who became the first woman to visit the former Soviet space station Mir in 1991 made the admission in UK's Observer magazine.

Aliens exist, we simply can't see them, says former British astronaut Helen Sharman

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Russian cosmonauts drank alcohol hours after a near-disaster on Mir space station

Stranded in space: The cosmonaut who left the USSR and returned to a new country

Aliens exist, we simply can't see them, says former British astronaut Helen Sharman