Documentary articles and essays are united by the desire to lift the veil of mystery over the controversial issues of the history of Soviet repressions, the tragic events of the pre-war years and the period of the Great Patriotic War. The book tells about life, little-known facts of biographies, trials, glory and hatred, betrayal and nobility, which are intertwined in the fates of victims and executioners, tragically broken by repressive regimes. A strict selection of established facts, based on unknown archival documents, their objective analysis and assessment make it possible to create a real picture of the tragedies of the 20th century.