Russia Unveils Stalin Statue in Moscow Amid Revival of Legacy

A new statue of Joseph Stalin has been unveiled in Moscow's Taganskaya Metro station, reigniting debate over the Soviet dictator's legacy. This replica of a relief removed in 1966 during de-Stalinization shows Stalin surrounded by adoring workers and children and has quickly become a popular site for photos and tributes. The Kremlin's revival of Stalin's image is part of a broader effort to foster national pride and project strength, especially amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, despite Stalin's brutal history of purges and mass repression. While some Russians, including older generations, view Stalin as a great leader who contributed to Soviet victory in World War II, others warn that rehabilitating his image dangerously whitewashes state atrocities and endorses authoritarianism. Critics argue the statue symbolizes the Putin regime's embrace of Soviet power and imperialist ambitions, signaling a troubling endorsement of Stalinist values in contemporary Russia. The monument's unveiling has sparked both nostalgic admiration and fierce opposition, reflecting the deep divisions in Russian society over Stalin's historical role.