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Stalin More Popular Than Putin, "Russians " Say
Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin has been voted the most āoutstandingā figure in Russiaās history, beating the countryās most beloved poet, Alexander Pushkin, and current Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
The poll, by Russiaās independent Levada Center, is the latest to showcase the changing view amongst Russians of Stalin, who presided over mass deportations, a network of concentration campsāor gulagsāand is believed to be responsible for the deaths of around 20 million Soviet citizens.
But for many Russians it is Stalin's role in winning World War II that is remembered and encouraged in government propaganda. Recent approval ratings of Stalin and the man he succeededāVladimir Lenināshow that both enjoy majority approval in Russia.
Read More: The majority of Russians think their army could have beaten the Nazis without U.S. or allies
When asked to rank the most extraordinary individuals in their countryās history, 38 percent of Russians pointed to Stalin, Russian news agency Interfax reported. The Georgian-born leader had the largest share of the vote, even if it is slightly lower than the 42 percent share he received in 2012.
Aside from Stalin, he most significant mover and shaker in the ranking was Russian President Vladimir Putin. Breathing down Stalinās neck with 34 percent of the vote, Putin shared the second place with the great patron of Russian Romantic verse, Alexander Pushkin.
In 2012, as Putinās third and controversial presidential term was in its nascency, the former KGB man was fifth. Not only has he leapfrogged Pushkin in the last five years, but he also pulled ahead of Tsar Peter the Great and Lenin who tied for second place at the time.
Stalin More Popular Than Putin, Russians Say

Stalin More Popular Than Putin, "Russians " Say
Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin has been voted the most āoutstandingā figure in Russiaās history, beating the countryās most beloved poet, Alexander Pushkin, and current Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
The poll, by Russiaās independent Levada Center, is the latest to showcase the changing view amongst Russians of Stalin, who presided over mass deportations, a network of concentration campsāor gulagsāand is believed to be responsible for the deaths of around 20 million Soviet citizens.
But for many Russians it is Stalin's role in winning World War II that is remembered and encouraged in government propaganda. Recent approval ratings of Stalin and the man he succeededāVladimir Lenināshow that both enjoy majority approval in Russia.
Read More: The majority of Russians think their army could have beaten the Nazis without U.S. or allies
When asked to rank the most extraordinary individuals in their countryās history, 38 percent of Russians pointed to Stalin, Russian news agency Interfax reported. The Georgian-born leader had the largest share of the vote, even if it is slightly lower than the 42 percent share he received in 2012.
Aside from Stalin, he most significant mover and shaker in the ranking was Russian President Vladimir Putin. Breathing down Stalinās neck with 34 percent of the vote, Putin shared the second place with the great patron of Russian Romantic verse, Alexander Pushkin.
In 2012, as Putinās third and controversial presidential term was in its nascency, the former KGB man was fifth. Not only has he leapfrogged Pushkin in the last five years, but he also pulled ahead of Tsar Peter the Great and Lenin who tied for second place at the time.
Stalin More Popular Than Putin, Russians Say