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Soviet Union

The Soviet Union was a transcontinental state comprising of 15 republics that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991.

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Former Albanian Ilir Meta smiles as he signs a document

Former Albanian Ilir Meta smiles as he signs a document

Albania: Former President Ilir Meta arrested

The politician has been arrested on charges of corruption and money laundering.

Dokus KW 42

Dokus KW 42

DocFilm: Hotel Metalurg — home of the forgotten displaced from Abkhazia

It has been more than 30 years since fighting broke out between Georgia and Abkhazia. Some of those whom the conflict displaced found refuge in a former Georgian sanatorium: the Hotel Metalurg. Now, they’re under pressure to leave again.

Videostill | Doku | Geheime Unterwelten der Sowjetunion: Georgien

Videostill | Doku | Geheime Unterwelten der Sowjetunion: Georgien

Secret underworlds of the Soviet Union: Georgia

Bunkers and torture chambers: Georgia is home to secret underworlds, built during the Soviet era.

Wehrmacht soldiers tearing down a barrier - black and white foto

Wehrmacht soldiers tearing down a barrier - black and white foto

Hitler's Germany invaded Poland 85 years ago

World War II began with Germany's invasion of Poland. It was a turning point that still has a geopolitical impact today.

The "Russenhäuser" in Berlin's Karlshorst district

The "Russenhäuser" in Berlin's Karlshorst district

Could Ukraine get Berlin’s abandoned 'Russian houses'?

A local politician aims to confiscate derelict Russian-owned buildings in Berlin for Ukraine's benefit.

DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

Inside Europe August 15 2024

This is a repeat programme, originally broadcast in 2023. There may be time references which are no longer valid. The Russian Feminist Resistance and the Ukrainian frontline, British nonagenarian performer Thelma Ruby, Sasha Talaver on Soviet gender narratives, women challenging Albania's brain drain, UK campaigners against police misogyny and the French woman saving lives from beyond the grave.

DW Dokumentation | Angst, Macht, Gedenken / Die Dresdner Stasi-Zentrale

DW Dokumentation | Angst, Macht, Gedenken / Die Dresdner Stasi-Zentrale

Fear, power, remembrance — Dresden's Stasi headquarters

An inconspicuous block of buildings in Dresden harbors a dark secret.

DW Dokumentationen | Lettland: Überbleibsel der Sowjetunion

DW Dokumentationen | Lettland: Überbleibsel der Sowjetunion

Latvia: Remnants of the Soviet Union

Karosta, Latvia, is a former restricted area of the Soviet Union where many Russians stayed behind.

DW Focus on Europe Sendungslogo

DW Focus on Europe Sendungslogo

Focus on Europe – Spotlight on People

Civilian life in Ukraine has become impossible, says a teacher taking up arms.

DW Sendung Made in Germany

DW Sendung Made in Germany

Putin's Russia: Back in the USSR?

Russia's economy is developing more and more like the USSR’s once did, with all its problems too.

A view of flags of member nations flying outside NATO headquarters in Brussels

A view of flags of member nations flying outside NATO headquarters in Brussels

NATO celebrates its past, looks to the future

NATO gets set to officially mark its 75th anniversary — with Russia practically waging war on the alliance's doorstep.

Dont drink the milk Teaser

Dont drink the milk Teaser

Introducing: The Disappearing Spoon

We're on a short break, but you still need a dose of quirky history – so here's another podcast we think you'll love.

Bulgarien | Denkmal der sowjetischen Armee in Sofia

Bulgarien | Denkmal der sowjetischen Armee in Sofia

Bulgaria starts dismantling Soviet monument in Sofia

The "Monument to the Soviet Army" was built in 1954 to remember the tenth anniversary of Red Troops entering the city.

Hanna Domanska sits on a bed with pictures on the wall

Hanna Domanska sits on a bed with pictures on the wall

Ukraine: This 96-year-old survived Soviet Holodomor famine

Hanna Domanska suffered through the Soviet man-made famine that killed millions of Ukrainians in the 1930s.

A human chain across the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

A human chain across the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Eastern Bloc's resistance in the spotlight at DOK Leipzig

East Germany's 1953 uprising and the Baltic states' fight for independence are revisited at the DOK Leipzig film fest.

Police officers restrain an angry crowd

Police officers restrain an angry crowd

What's behind the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh?

The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh goes back centuries. Here is an overview of its history.

DW Arts Unveiled (Sendungslogo Composite)

DW Arts Unveiled (Sendungslogo Composite)

Loud debates! Loud music!

One European nation loudly debates the presence of Soviet monuments, and another hosts a heavy metal festival.

Choir singers in traditional attire perform at Latvia's Song and Dance Festival

Choir singers in traditional attire perform at Latvia's Song and Dance Festival

Latvian Song and Dance Festival concludes

For some participants, the songs and dances are deeply personal. DW's Juri Rescheto reports.

In a colorized black-and-white photo taken by Geoff MacCormack in Russia in 1973, David Bowie is seen at the open window of a train. He has his left arm resting on the top of the windowpane and he is looking into the camera.

In a colorized black-and-white photo taken by Geoff MacCormack in Russia in 1973, David Bowie is seen at the open window of a train. He has his left arm resting on the top of the windowpane and he is looking into the camera.

David Bowie's journey through the Soviet Union

In 1973, David Bowie traveled by train from Siberia to Moscow. Bandmate Geoff MacCormack captured the journey in photos.

One of the planes used in the Berlin airlift is seen at Tempelhof airport

One of the planes used in the Berlin airlift is seen at Tempelhof airport

Berlin Airlift remembered 75 years on

In 1948 and 1949, Western allies flew vital supplies into West Berlin during the monthslong Soviet blockade of the city.

A soldier standing in front of an Airbus A400M

A soldier standing in front of an Airbus A400M

What is NATO and why was it created?

Russia's war against Ukraine has made NATO more relevant again. DW explains the purpose of the security alliance.

Late Russian fashion designer Slava Zaitsev

Late Russian fashion designer Slava Zaitsev

'Soviet Dior' Slava Zaitsev dies at 85

Zaitsev was known for designing bright dresses featuring flower patterns taken from traditional Russian shawls.

A view of the coffin with the body of Joseph Stalin surrounded by flowers.

A view of the coffin with the body of Joseph Stalin surrounded by flowers.

Why the cult of Josef Stalin is flourishing

The Russian state is promoting the Soviet dictator through new monuments. Why would a country celebrate a mass murderer?

Black and white photo of Bertolt Brecht sitting in front of microphones

Black and white photo of Bertolt Brecht sitting in front of microphones

Why Bertolt Brecht is still played around the world

Born 125 years ago, the playwright of "The Threepenny Opera" remains popular worldwide to this day.

Soldiers in the Battle of Stalingrad, positioned on a hill with guns

Soldiers in the Battle of Stalingrad, positioned on a hill with guns

The battle of Stalingrad: A decisive turning point in WW2

Russia commemorates the surrender of the Wehrmacht in Stalingrad 80 years ago. And uses it for propaganda purposes.

A woman stands on a stage. She is wearing a pink and red outfit with a green apron.

A woman stands on a stage. She is wearing a pink and red outfit with a green apron.

How did the West forget about the Holodomor?

4 million people were starved to death in Ukraine from 1932 to 1933, but Stalin denied the famine ever happened.

A black-and-white photo of a family with horse and carriage in front of their home in the early 20th century.

A black-and-white photo of a family with horse and carriage in front of their home in the early 20th century.

Exhibition explores 100 years of Jewish life in Ukraine

A new exhibition in Germany explores the rich culture of Jewish life in Ukraine.

An image of former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev at his funeral in Moscow

An image of former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev at his funeral in Moscow

Mikhail Gorbachev buried in Moscow

The former Soviet leader was laid to rest in a low-key ceremony snubbed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

DW Podcast | Inside Europe

DW Podcast | Inside Europe

Inside Europe 01.09.2022

Russians face hurdles visiting the EU, remembering Mikhail Gorbachev and justice for victims of the 2016 Nice attack.

Soric Miodrag Kommentarbild App

Soric Miodrag Kommentarbild App

Gorbachev failed, and made world a better place

Miodrag Soric

Many countries and people around the world owe their freedom to Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader.

Helmut Kohl (left) and Mikhail Gorbachev holding a bunch of flowers together

Helmut Kohl (left) and Mikhail Gorbachev holding a bunch of flowers together

Russia's Gorbachev: Hero or failure?

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was seen as a hero in the West, yet remains controversial in Russia.

Mikhail Gorbachev

Mikhail Gorbachev

World pays tribute to Mikhail Gorbachev

Germany, the US and other countries have praised the former Soviet leader for bringing the Cold War to a peaceful end.

Michail Gorbatschow tot

Michail Gorbatschow tot

Mikhail Gorbachev: Germany's most beloved Russian dies

Germany admired him in a way Russia never did. At the age of 91, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev has died.

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev

World reacts to death of Mikhail Gorbachev

Gorbachev played a key role in ending the Cold War but failed to prevent the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Dismantling of the Soviet WWII victory monument, in Riga

Dismantling of the Soviet WWII victory monument, in Riga

Latvia removes Soviet-era monument in Riga

Latvia dismantled a Soviet-era monument in its capital city despite protests from the ethnic Russia minority.

Stamp marking 25 years of German-Soviet friendship - showing a GDR and a Soviet Union flag and Erich Honecker and Leonid Brezhnev shaking hands

Stamp marking 25 years of German-Soviet friendship - showing a GDR and a Soviet Union flag and Erich Honecker and Leonid Brezhnev shaking hands

What's behind eastern Germans' empathy for Russia?

For many east Germans, opposition to Russia's war on Ukraine now outweighs historical grievances about the West.

Soric Miodrag Kommentarbild App

Soric Miodrag Kommentarbild App

Russia must be held accountable

Miodrag Soric

Russia must not be let off scot-free, forcing other countries to foot the bill for Ukraine's reconstruction.

Ukraine Ex-Präsident Leonid Kravchuk

Ukraine Ex-Präsident Leonid Kravchuk

Leonid Kravchuk: The man who buried the Soviet Union

Ukraine's first president, Leonid Kravchuk, has died. He was a stroke of good luck for his country despite mistakes.

Man looks into camera wearing a sport coat and button shirt with collar up

Man looks into camera wearing a sport coat and button shirt with collar up

Russia's post-'Victory' era

Ivan Preobrazhensky

The invasion of Ukraine marks the beginning of a new era for Russia — and a future that looks very far from rosy.

Polish security team guarding entrance to a compound that had been used by Soviet-era and Russian diplomats and businessmen

Polish security team guarding entrance to a compound that had been used by Soviet-era and Russian diplomats and businessmen

Poland: Warsaw hands over Russian 'spy nest' to Ukrainians

The Polish seized an abandoned Russian compound after decades of dispute, handing it over to the Ukrainian community.

Detail of the Soviet Memorial in Berlin's Treptower Park

Detail of the Soviet Memorial in Berlin's Treptower Park

From friend to enemy

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the world is tottering – as it is for many eastern Germans.

Ukraine | Protest in Kiew in November 2021

Ukraine | Protest in Kiew in November 2021

The fight for cultural autonomy

German historian Karl Schlögel describes post-Soviet culture and European identity.

Soviet and West German leaders clink glasses

Soviet and West German leaders clink glasses

German-Russian relations through history

Relations between Germany and Russia have been marked by alternate periods of cooperation and war.

Turkmenistan's new leader Serdar Berdimuhamedov

Turkmenistan's new leader Serdar Berdimuhamedov

Turkmenistan: Autocrat president's son claims landslide win

The son of Turkmenistan's autocrat leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov won the presidential elections by a wide margin.

Soric Miodrag Kommentarbild App

Soric Miodrag Kommentarbild App

Russians must rise

Miodrag Soric

Russians must stand up and demand an end to President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, DW's Miodrag Soric writes.

Pro-Ukrainian protests at a Soviet memorial

Pro-Ukrainian protests at a Soviet memorial

Bulgaria torn between Russia and West

Bulgaria has deep traditional ties with Russia. But the war in Ukraine is sowing deep divisions in the country.

Estland | Musik | Estonian music

Estland | Musik | Estonian music

Estonia: protest through song

Music is an integral part of the identity of Estonia, which for centuries has been under Russian and foreign domination.

DW To the Point Totale

DW To the Point Totale

Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan: Putin’s backyard?

Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan. How successful is Russia’s Military Diplomacy?

A letter next to a drawing of two small children.

A letter next to a drawing of two small children.

Moscow exhibition of banned NGO focuses on women

The final exhibition of International Memorial looks at the lives of women imprisoned under Stalin.

A still from the video "We Three Queens" which pictures three drag queens.

A still from the video "We Three Queens" which pictures three drag queens.

Berlin Christmas exhibition focuses on diversity

What is Christmas like in prison, and how did the "Jolka Festivity" in the Soviet Union reinterpret the holiday?