Leningrad Affair

The Leningrad Affair was a political purge in the Soviet Union during the early 1950s, targeting officials in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg). Under Stalin's rule, accusations of treason, espionage, or anti-Soviet activity led to arrests, imprisonments, and executions of prominent city leaders, military officers, and intellectuals. The purge aimed to consolidate Stalin’s control and eliminate perceived threats, fostering a climate of fear. It was characterized by show trials, false charges, and widespread repression, significantly impacting local governance and intellectual life in Leningrad. The affair highlights the oppressive political environment of Stalinist Russia.