The Gulag History Museum, currently closed, announced its transformation into a museum that will honor the memory of victims of genocide by Soviet forces and cover all stages of Nazi war crimes. Originally established in 2001, the museum has been closed since November 2024 due to alleged fire safety issues. It served as a reminder of the millions of people killed or imprisoned by the communist regime from 1918 to 1956.

In light of its redesign, the museum will highlight the so-called mission of the Red Army's liberation and the trials of Nazi criminals, according to the statements from Moscow authorities. This shift aligns with a broader narrative promoted by the Russian government, emphasizing the importance of rejecting Nazism in contemporary contexts. Natalia Kalashnikova, the future director of the museum, articulated that the institution aims to instill a longstanding denial of Nazism among younger generations.

The transformation of the museum raises questions about the politicization of historical narratives in Russia, particularly regarding Soviet and Nazi crimes. While the original focus on Gulags illustrated the extensive human rights abuses under the Soviet regime, this new direction could reflect a government-led effort to reshape collective memory and identity by focusing more on external rather than internal atrocities. The implications of this change may further influence the public’s understanding of history in Russia, intertwining it with current geopolitical narratives.