1986 Soviet First League

• Demoted from the Soviet Top League: FC Fakel Voronezh and FC SKA Rostov/Donu.
• Promoted from the Soviet Second League: FC Rostselmash Rostov/Donu, FC Iskra Smolensk, and FC Atalantas Klaipėda.
• There is some strange thing about FC Iskra Smolensk as it competed in both Soviet Leagues of 1985 the First and the Second simultaneously.

  League standings