The monograph examines the history of the “Leningrad case” - one of the famous political cases of the period of “late Stalinism”. In the scientific literature, the Leningrad leaders of the war and post-war times are mostly presented as victims of the Stalinist regime who fell as a result of intrigues in the top leadership of the USSR.

The book, based on archival documents, shows the corrupt actions of the Leningrad authorities in the most difficult war and post-war years , protectionism in the personnel policy of Smolny, violations during the elections of party bodies and other management practices that have developed in the Leningrad government structures.