Stalin's Resurgence: Moscow Subway Honors Controversial Leader

Mon Sep 15 2025 20:35:32 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Moscow has reinstated a statue of Joseph Stalin, highlighting the Kremlin's embrace of the Soviet past amidst ongoing conflicts, stirring debates on his legacy in contemporary Russia.

After nearly sixty years, Joseph Stalin's image has made a return to Moscow's bustling metro, where a new statue has been unveiled, drawing mixed reactions from the public. The sculpture, mirroring a discontinued piece from 1966, shows Stalin surrounded by enthusiastic workers and children in a nostalgic portrayal. As authorities aim to reshape perceptions of history and motivate the populace during turbulent times, many commuters find themselves deliberating the merits of Stalin's controversial rule. This revival of a polarizing figure emphasizes the ongoing debate regarding historical narratives in Putin's Russia.

In recent weeks, commuters have flocked to the station, expressing a myriad of emotions ranging from admiration to ire as they grapple with Stalin's complicated legacy. Among them is Liliya A. Medvedeva, a pensioner who reflected on Stalin's role in wartime Russia. While she acknowledges the dictator's flaws, she primarily focuses on the victories attributed to him during the Second World War, fostering a sentiment of pride among some citizens who see his image as a reminder of national strength. Conversely, the statue has spurred dissent among others who fear historical revisionism might overshadow the darker chapters of Stalin's reign, illustrating the ongoing ideological divide in Russian society today.

Amid a climate where dissent against the government can pose risks, the conversation around Stalin's image casts a spotlight on the complex dynamics of memory and identity in a nation increasingly looking to its past with both reverence and apprehension.