(July 2018; revised November 2019) In 1992, Vladimir Bukovsky was given access to the archives of the CPSU Central Committee in Moscow for a period of five months. The new Russian government of Boris Yeltsin asked him to speak as a witness on its behalf at the forthcoming "trial of the Communist Party" (the CPSU … Continue reading The Status of these Archives
Category: 02. CPSU, Terror & Repression
Alternative sources (1968-1991)
The 63 published issues of the bi-monthly CHRONICLE OF CURRENT EVENTS (April 1968-June 1982) can all be accessed in English translation. The Russian original ХРОНИКА ТЕКУЩИХ СОБЫТИЙ has been available online since 2008. Example. For a contemporary account of the events leading up to Alexander Solzhenitsyn's expulsion on 13 February from the USSR, see A … Continue reading Alternative sources (1968-1991)
31 January 1938* (Pb 57/48) Great Terror
Dealing with “Anti-Soviet Elements”. Politburo accepts NKVD request to increase quotas for 1st category arrests (executions) and 2nd category arrests (sent to camps) in 22 Republics and Regions across the USSR. [Russian: 31 January 1938, Pb 57-48] total 2 pp. ==================================== [page one of two] Return within 24 hoursto the Central Committee Special Sector STRICTLY SECRET(From … Continue reading 31 January 1938* (Pb 57/48) Great Terror
31 December 1938* [Stalin] Great Terror
Stalin’s written permission for the Krasnoyarsk Region (Siberia) to carry out several thousand additional “1st category arrests” (executions). The instruction was written in pencil on a small, plain slip of paper. [Russian: 31 December 1938] ======================================= Permit Krasnoyarsk Region 6,600 additional ‘1st category’ arrests. For Stalin, I.V. ====================================== NOTES This instruction came two months after … Continue reading 31 December 1938* [Stalin] Great Terror
4 May 1975* (1103-A) May Day
4 May 1975, 1103-A [2.2; 3.2] – KGB memorandum. The situation during the 1975 May Day celebrations. [Russian: 4 May 1975, 1103-A] ====================== [page one of one] Secret State Security Committee [KGB] at the USSR Soviet of Ministers 4 May 1975, No 1103-A Moscow To the CPSU Central Committee The 1975 May Day celebrations proceeded … Continue reading 4 May 1975* (1103-A) May Day
30 December 1980** (St 243/8) North Caucasus
Secretariat. Memo from ANDROPOV about anti-Russian propaganda in Karachaevo-Cherkessk region, North Caucasus (7 pp). [R 30 Dec 80, 7 pp] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Translator’s notes are bracketed] #CT-243 of 12.30.80/TOP SECRET/SPECIAL FOLDER RESOLUTION Of the Secretariat of the CC of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Re: Memorandum of the Committee for State Security of the … Continue reading 30 December 1980** (St 243/8) North Caucasus
19 December 1957** (KGB) Landau
KGB report. ACADEMICIAN LEV LANDAU’s admiration for the Hungarian insurgents and comments about Bolshevik fascism (17 pp). [R 19 December 1957] ========================== Top Secret, copy #2 CPSU, Central Committee To Comrade KIRILLIN V. A., personally December 20, 1957 At your request, sending the Academy member L.D. Landau's file ATTACHMENT: 16 sheets. Chairman of the KGB … Continue reading 19 December 1957** (KGB) Landau
4 October 1956** (St 1061) Fake border post
Secretariat. Creation of the “Mill”, a fake border post in the Far East used from 1941 to 1949 to test the loyalty of individuals, who were then arrested and imprisoned; many were shot (8 pp). [R 4 October 1956, St 1061] ============================================================== [page one of eight] Top Secret To be returned, after the meeting of … Continue reading 4 October 1956** (St 1061) Fake border post
3 September 1953** [Central Committee] Special assignments
Secretariat. Creation at Ministry of Internal Affairs of Special Division No.12 for “special assignments” (diversion, sabotage, assassination) abroad. Structure, functions, etc of Special Division (7 pp). [R 3 September 1953] ============================================================ [page one of seven] Top Secret Special File CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE SOVIET UNION RESOLUTION On the institution of … Continue reading 3 September 1953** [Central Committee] Special assignments
The Bukovsky Archives 