The Kremlin has officially dismantled the Gulag History Museum, which was recognized by the Council of Europe in 2021 as the best museum in Europe. This closure coincides with a broader ideological shift in Russia, as the museum's former focus on the atrocities of Stalin's regime is supplanted by a propaganda exhibit that frames Soviet struggles during World War II. Artifacts that document the history of Stalin's terror are now relegated to dark storages, raising concerns about the state's efforts to control historical narratives and suppress inconvenient truths.

Simultaneously, the Kremlin appears to be laying the groundwork for the re-opening of prisons reminiscent of the infamous Gulags, which analysts Andrej Soldatov and Irina Borogan have termed 'Gulag 2.0.' This initiative reflects a disturbing trend toward increased repression in Russia, where the state systematically removes educational institutions that promote critical historical understanding. Publicist Peter Juščák, who specializes in the study of Soviet labor camps and has authored works about Slovaks and Czechs sent to the Gulags, emphasizes that the current Russian memory is suffering from the eradication of historical institutions and the construction of a so-called new memory rooted in falsehoods, starting from children in kindergartens.

As the regime seeks to manipulate historical narratives, there are growing concerns about how these actions will affect future generations. The shift towards a glorified version of history, stripping away the complexities and atrocities of Stalin's rule, reveals the Kremlin's strategy to cultivate a sense of national pride at the expense of truth. This ultimately raises questions about the implications for civil society and the importance of preserving historical memory amid rising authoritarianism in Russia.