This is and excerpt from the article of Russian newspaper back from 1958. It tells that:

“Young Soviet engineer has assembled a wireless phone that can be connected to the city phone line via ‘electro-magnetic’ waves. The new model of his phone has a size not more than two cigarette boxes and weights 500g (together with the battery), thanks to this the device can be widely used not only for organizations but also for the personal use. Using this pocket radio phone anyone can call landline number from wherever he is and also he can be called by any landline user.”

It sounds bit naive these days, but if back in 1958 it could be really innovative and advanced, especially for a Soviet Russian citizen who was not got used to a gadget abundance.

Russian authorities didn’t let this happen, the device was not in mass production, and was not available for general public, probably for security and censorship reasons states had in mind, so Russian people had a chance to get the personal mobile phone only after Soviet Union collapsed – just 20 years ago first cell phones and other modification of mobile devices appeared on sale in Russia.

On photo there is that “Young Soviet engineer together with his phone”.