From a balcony with a view to the Kremlin, an American shot the only known independent footage of Stalin’s funeral in 1953. | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

"Comrade Stalin, you have left us. Words cannot express our suffering." Unique footage of the Soviet dictator's funeral and mass mourning events held across the USSR will be shown in a new documentary by Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa. The documentary will be shown by Настоящее Время (Read more on the footage here: https://bit.ly/3fVqKxO) | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

He was called “Uncle Joe.” But behind that smile was one of history’s darkest shadows. ☭ Joseph Stalin didn’t just rule the Soviet Union — he ruled through fear. A single whisper could erase your name from history. Neighbors betrayed neighbors. Children reported their own parents. And millions vanished into frozen labor camps… never to return. He promised equality — and delivered terror. To this day, his face still hangs on walls. But his empire of fear never truly died. 🎥 Watch the full story