Nikita Khrushchev is one of the most controversial figures in the history of the USSR. He was a “peasant son” who rose to the top of power, which did not prevent the politician from a number of achievements in the “reorganization” of Soviet society after the deadly ideological schemes of his predecessor Joseph Stalin. Nikita Sergeevich became the most outstanding reformer of the Soviet Union.
You know, Khrushchev was first secretary of the Communist Party and leader of the USSR during the first decade after Stalin’s death between 1953and 1964. He abolished the most ruthless aspects of the political system and tried with limited success to catch up with and overtake the U.S. economy. He was one of the most important figures of the Cold War. During his ten years in power, Khrushchev never stopped surprising the world with his vigor and stamina. He could work 14 to 16 hours a day, never needing a break. To tell the truth, he allowed himself to relax only during his energetic hunting sessions.
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Joseph Stalin led the Soviet Union for about 25 years. He made it into a world power, but he was known for his harsh rule. Stalin defended the achievements of the Bolshevik Revolution, successfully waged war against NAZI Germany, and contributed to the division of Eastern from Western Europe in the 1940s. In the country, agriculture was actively mechanized, industrialization took place, as a result of which the USSR turned into a nuclear superpower with colossal geopolitical influence throughout the world.
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was born on December 21, 1879, in Gori, Georgia. His father was a cobbler and his mother was a domestic servant. The boy studied at a local church school and the Tiflis (Tbilisi in Georgian) Orthodox seminary, from which he was expelled in 1899.
His Georgian name was Ioseb Dzhugashvili. Later he used the name of Stalin, which is based on the Russian word for “steel.”
As a young man Stalin became interested in Communism. Communists believe that all citizens should get an equal share of their country’s wealth.
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Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev is a well-known political leader. For almost 20 years he was at the heights of the power of the Soviet Union, first as general secretary of the CPSU Central Committee, and then as head of the USSR.
The Brezhnev era is commemorated as stagnation, since the country’s economy was completely destroyed due to failed reforms, which subsequently led to the collapse of the Union. Brezhnev’s rule in modern Russia is assessed in different ways in society – some consider him the best ruler of the 20th century, and others still today, with sarcasm, “thank him” for the collapse of the country, which became inevitable after the reign of Leonid Ilyich.
Many Russians remember his era as a Golden Age when living standards steadily improved. This was the result of his policy of borrowing from the West, combined with the twofold doubling of world oil prices and a deliberate decision after 1971 to reallocate production in favor of consumer products and foods.
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Count Mikhail Speransky was a Russian public figure, reformer, founder of the Russian legal science and theory of law. He created the Code of Laws of the Russian Empire. According to legend, after meeting him, Napoleon offered Alexander I to exchange him for “any kingdom”. Speransky was an Honorary member of the Imperial Academy of Sciences (since 1819), Honorary Member of the Imperial Russian Academy, and Prince Alexander II’s mentor.
Mikhail Speransky was born on January 1, 1772 in the village of Cherkutino, Vladimir province (now Sobinsky, Vladimir region). He was the eldest child in the family. Mikhail Mikhailovich was born into a clergyman’s family, so he did not receive a surname from his father. Speransky was named chosen by his uncle when the boy entered the Vladimir Theological Seminary. Even then, 8-year-old Mikhail showed outstanding abilities, and the surname, which comes from the Latin spero (i.e. hope), spoke of the hopes that the young seminarian gave.
The boy spent almost all of his time alone or with his grandfather Vasily, who gave the future statesman first information about the world and man’s place in it.
In 1780 the boy entered the Vladimir diocesan seminary where he showed the passionate love of reading and thinking, independence and strength of character, as well as ability to get along with everyone, good sense of humor and modesty. You know, he was the brightest student.
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Interpreter Victor Sukhodrev (December 12, 1932 – May 16, 2014) spent 30 years next to world leaders. He was the personal interpreter of the highest Soviet party-state leaders Nikita Khrushchev and Leonid Brezhnev. Also he worked with Mikhail Gorbachev, Alexei Kosygin, Andrei Gromyko, Anastas Mikoyan and other leaders of the Soviet Union.
A shadow man – interpreter is a very important person. He always knows more than others, but like the priest keeps the great mysteries of the world.
Soviet diplomat Roland Timerbaev said that Sukhodrev had an excellent knowledge of English, the quality of his translations was brilliant. They quote the words of Frol Kozlov: “It’s good to work with Victor. You may say something wrong, but he will correct it.”
Viktor Sukhodrev was a true legend in the world of interpreters. For three decades, he was next to Soviet leaders.
In 2012, Sukhodrev became the winner of the annual National Translator of the Year Award for his outstanding contribution to the strengthening of the country’s international authority and high achievements in professional activities.
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Valentina Matvienko is Soviet and Russian politician, diplomat, chairman of the Federation Council and former governor of St. Petersburg.
Valya Tyutina (her maiden surname) was born on April 7, 1949 in Shepetovka, Kamenetz-Podolsk region. Her father was a veteran and died when Valentina was the second form student. The mother worked as a theater costume designer. You know, Valentina has two elder sisters, Lydia and Zinaida.
In 1967, Tyutina graduated from the Cherkassy Medical School with honors and in 1972 she graduated from the Leningrad Chemical-Pharmaceutical Institute.
In her youth Valentina wanted to be a scientist. However, she was invited to work in the Committee of the Komsomol and after meeting with the rector of the institute accepted the invitation.
Actually, Matvienko speaks Ukrainian, German, English and Greek.
In September 2003 she was elected as governor of St. Petersburg.
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Pavel Gubarev is a people’s governor of the Donetsk Region, Ukraine. He is a hero of the Russian democratic revolution, who was arrested only for calls for a referendum on federalization. By the way the referendum took place on May 11, 2014.
Pavel is a man who showed that “better to die on your feet than live on your knees”. He is a true hero and a Russian democrat, sacrificed his own freedom for the sake of freedom for the Russian people.
On March 6, 2014 Pavel was arrested. He was charged with organizing mass disorder. His wife Ekaterina and three little children were forced to leave Ukraine after her husband’s arrest.
About three thousand people demanded the release of Gubarev in Donetsk on March 9, 2014.
On May 7, 2014 Pavel was released from the prison, where he spent two months. Gubarev was met by thousands of his supporters.
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