Russia to convert Gulag museum into Nazi crimes memorial

The museum was one of the last institutions dedicated to documenting Soviet-era political repression in Russia. SocietyRussian FederationRussia to convert Gulag museum into Nazi crimes memorialSrinivas Mazumdaru with AFP, dpa02/21/2026February 21, 2026The museum was one of the last institutions dedicated to documenting Soviet-era political repression in Russia. https://p.dw.com/p/59AubThe Gulag History Museum was founded in 2001, but authorities closed it in November 2024, citing 'fire safety violations'Image: Kristina Kormilitsyna/SNA/IMAGOAdvertisementRussia is converting the Gulag History Museum in Moscow into a new exhibition documenting Nazi crimes against the Soviet Union during World War II, officials said Friday.   "The new museum will feature an exhibition covering all stages of Nazi war crimes during the Great Patriotic War," Moscow's city government said in a statement, using the official Russian name for World War II. It will also document "biological weapons testing on Soviet citizens by the Japanese," as well as showcase the Red Army's victories, it added. The Gulag History Museum was founded in 2001, but authorities closed it in November 2024, citing "fire safety violations."Until its closure, the museum commemorated the millions of people who were imprisoned in the GulagImage: Alexey Filippov/SNA/IMAGO Millions imprisoned in the Gulag Until its closure, the museum commemorated the millions of people who were imprisoned in the Gulag — which was a vast network of forced labor camps across the country between 1918 and 1956. Millions of alleged traitors and enemies of the state were sent there, many to their deaths during Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's rule. The museum was one of the last institutions dedicated to documenting Soviet-era political repression in Russia. It contained thousands of artefacts from Gulag victims, including letters and personal belongings. The museum's closure was widely viewed as part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's clampdown on institutions documenting Soviet-era human rights violations. Critics slam the Kremlin of attempting to rehabilitate the Soviet Union's legacy, by downplaying its human rights abuses while championing its role as a victor during World War II to foster patriotism.Victims of Soviet-era repression fight for justiceTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Edited by: Kieran Burke Srinivas Mazumdaru Editor and reporter focusing on business, geopolitics and current affairsSend us your feedbackYour feedbackAdvertisement