They shaped a superpower, commanded global attention, and left behind legacies marked by fear and control. The most notorious leaders of the Soviet Union weren't just political figures: they were symbols of an unforgettable era defined by repression and radical change.
From Lenin’s ideological beginnings and the rise of personality cults to Stalin’s ruthless grip and obsession with
secret police, the following gallery explores individuals whose rule left an enduring mark on history, as well as millions of lives behind the Iron Curtain.
Click on to step back in time and dig into the power plays, quirks, and scandals of the USSR’s most infamous rulers.