The 63 published issues of the bi-monthly CHRONICLE OF CURRENT EVENTS, from April 1968 to June 1982, can all be accessed in English translation. (The Russian original ХРОНИКА ТЕКУЩИХ СОБЫТИЙ has been available online since 2008, thanks to the Memorial Human Rights Centre.) Example For a contemporary account of the events leading up to Alexander … Continue reading 05. Alternative sources (1968-1991), “Chronicle” and Vesti
Category: 2.1 pre-1975
The Great Terror: execution or the camps (31 Jan1938*, Pb 57/48)
Dealing with “Anti-Soviet Elements”. POLITBURO accepts NKVD request to increase quotas for 1st category (executions) and 2nd category (sent to camps) arrests in 22 Republics and Regions across the USSR [R: 31 January 1938, Pb 57-48]. 2 pp. ==================================== [page one of two] Return within 24 hours to the Central Committee Special Sector STRICTLY SECRET (From … Continue reading The Great Terror: execution or the camps (31 Jan1938*, Pb 57/48)
Stalin — Great Terror in Siberia (31 Dec 1938*)
STALIN’s written permission for the Krasnoyarsk Region (Siberia) to carry out over six thousand additional “1st category arrests” (executions). Instruction in pencil on a small, plain slip of paper [R 31 December 1938]. One page. ======================================= Permit Krasnoyarsk Region 6,600 additional ‘1st category’ arrests. For: Stalin, I.V. ====================================== NOTES This instruction came two months after … Continue reading Stalin — Great Terror in Siberia (31 Dec 1938*)
19 December 1957** (KGB) Landau on Hungary and Bolshevik fascism [2]
KGB REPORT. The admiration expressed by Academician Lev LANDAU (1908-1968) for the Hungarian insurgents and his anti-Soviet comments since 1947, about Bolshevik fascism, etc. [R: 19 December 1957]. 17 pp. [See also abridged and annotated version 19 December 1957*, Lev Landau, and the note about both at the end of this text] ========================== [page one … Continue reading 19 December 1957** (KGB) Landau on Hungary and Bolshevik fascism [2]
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
MVD “Special” Division for assignments abroad (3 Sept 1953**)
SECRETARIAT. Creation at Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) of Special Division No.12 for “special assignments” abroad: diversion, sabotage, assassination. Structure, functions, etc of Special Division [R: 3 September 1953]. 7 pp. ============================================================ [page one of seven] Top Secret SPECIAL FILE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE SOVIET UNION RESOLUTION On the institution … Continue reading MVD “Special” Division for assignments abroad (3 Sept 1953**)
Wartime Arrests and Executions (31 Oct 1941*, NKVD)
Report to NKVD chief BERIA. Activities from 22 June until 19 October 1941 of special NKVD divisions at the front during the Patriotic War (1941-1945). 657,364 arrested, majority sent back to fight in penal batallions; 25,878 detained, over 10,000 shot [R: 31 October 1941]. 3 pp. =================================== [page one of three] Top Secret Attention: People's … Continue reading Wartime Arrests and Executions (31 Oct 1941*, NKVD)
NKVD shortcomings in Kuibyshev (31 Oct 1937* [NKVD])
Letter from A. FRENKEL (Kuibyshev) to NKVD chief YEZHOV: malfunctioning of special troika, unburied bodies of "Enemies of the People", and poor safety measures during interrogation [R: 31 October 1937]. 2 pp. ======================================= [page one of two] Comrade Yezhov! I consider it my duty to advise you of the following facts that have been made known … Continue reading NKVD shortcomings in Kuibyshev (31 Oct 1937* [NKVD])
KGB “cautions”, an unpublished decree (16 Nov 1972*, Pb 67/XVIII)
POLITBURO decision. Jointly signed request from the KGB and Procurator-General RUDENKO (11 October 1972, 2594-А, pp. 4-5). Party leaders approve a secret decree (p. 2) about special KGB “cautions” or warnings to those engaged in “politically harmful” behaviour [R: 16 November 1972, Pb 67-XVIII]. 5 pp. Often referred to as "the 25 December 1972 decree", … Continue reading KGB “cautions”, an unpublished decree (16 Nov 1972*, Pb 67/XVIII)
The Bukovsky Archives 