PREVIOUSLY unseen snaps of Stalin-era USSR have been released as a part of an exciting new collection.

Army Major Martin Manhoff is the photographer behind the stunning images, which offer a unique insight into life in Russia in the 1950s.

11 A child walks through a run-down street in Russia in one of a number of extraordinary photographs taken by a US diplomat Credit: Martin Manhoff Archive/Douglas Smith

In 1954, Manhoff was deported from the Soviet Union after officials suspected him of espionage offences.

To keep his photographs safe when he was back in Washington, USA, he concealed them inside his closet for half a century.

It wasn’t until American historian Douglas Smith unearthed the historic snaps that they have been released to the public.

11 This everyday street scene shows a woman walking down a busy Russian street holding the hand of a little girl, while a man in state uniform strides alongside Credit: Martin Manhoff Archive/Douglas Smith

11 The Army Major took this vibrant photo of the noble Sheremetev family's Ostankino Palace, which is located in the north of Moscow Credit: Martin Manhoff Archive/Douglas Smith

11 Three young boys pose on a bench outside the Novospassky Monastery, which is based in the south-east of Moscow Credit: Martin Manhoff Archive/Douglas Smith

The hidden photographs add an extra layer of intrigue to the mysterious Army Major’s life.

Historic records show that Manhoff had worked in the US embassy in Russia’s capital from February 1952 until June 1954.

During this time, the keen photographer took the breath-taking pictures using colour slides and colour 16mm film.

11 This bustling street scene shows women crossing the road in front of a butchers shop in Moscow's Arbat region Credit: Martin Manhoff Archive/Douglas Smith

11 Hundreds of Russian military men stand to attention as black horses lead the procession during a state funeral in Moscow Credit: Martin Manhoff Archive/Douglas Smith

11 This cheery image shows nine schoolgirls giggling as they pose for the photo taken by Monhoff Credit: Martin Manhoff Archive/Douglas Smith

11 A woman travels back to her log cabin home in the Russian countryside after fetching a bucket of water Credit: Martin Manhoff Archive/Douglas Smith

His stint as a diplomat was swiftly ended when he was accused of being part of an undercover spying operation.

Newspaper articles from 1954 reported on Manhoff’s deportation.

They accused the military man, and three other diplomats, of espionage offences.

11 This candid portrait shows a woman wrapped up warm as she makes her way through a Moscow street Credit: Martin Manhoff Archive/Douglas Smith

11 Manhoff snapped this flood picture from a car, capturing a public bus being affected by the gushing rainwaters of Kiev, Ukraine Credit: Martin Manhoff Archive/Douglas Smith

11 This charming image shows what Murmansk, a small port city in Russia, was like during the Stalin-era Credit: Martin Manhoff Archive/Douglas Smith

Award-winning Rasputin author Smith was visiting the Army Major’s house when he made the discovery.

He explained: "After his wife's death, I was asked to visit the Manhoff home this past summer and see whether Martin had left behind anything of value. I was amazed at what I discovered."

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He added: “For the past several months I have been digitising and organising the photographs and films.

“Among the gems is approximately 15 minutes of colour movie footage of Stalin's funeral taken from an upstairs window of the old US embassy in the Hotel National.

“There are thousands of colour photographs taken on the streets of Moscow, Leningrad, Murmansk, Yalta, and at points along the Trans-Siberian Railroad.

“I am now working on finding the best way to make this unique visual archive available to the public and to find a permanent home for the entire Manhoff archive.”

For more information go to Douglas Smith's website.