Russia’s reembrace of Josef Stalin

A Russian flag featuring Prime Minister Vladimir Putin flies above his supporters at a square just outside the Kremlin in Moscow as they celebrate Putin’s election on March 5, 2012. Putin regained the presidency after four years as prime minister.

(Alexander Nemenov / AFP/Getty Images)

June 11, 2015 4:55 AM PT

Over the last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin has presented dictator Josef Stalin’s bloody 29-year reign as the foundation on which the Soviet superpower was built. Stalin lives again, at least in minds and hearts.

A biker shows a banner depicting Soviet dictator Josef Stalin and featuring the WWII slogan “For the Motherland! For Stalin!” in Moscow on April 25, 2015. Pro-Putin bikers began a controversial ride through Europe to celebrate the Soviet Union’s role in the World War II victory over Nazi Germany.

(Dmitry Serebryakov / AFP/Getty Images)

A woman holds a portrait of Stalin near Moscow’s Red Square on May 7 ahead of celebrations to mark the anniversary of the WWII victory.

(Sean Gallup / Getty Images)

Communists carry a portrait of Stalin as they march in a May Day demonstration in Moscow on May 1.

(Denis Tyrin / Associated Press)

Vladimir Putin delivers a campaign speech at a rally of his supporters in Moscow on Feb. 23, 2012. Putin, prime minister at the time, was running in the presidential election, which he won.

(Yuri Kadobnov / AFP/Getty Images)

Busts of Stalin and Putin at a souvenir shop in Moscow on May 4.

(Vasily Maximov / AFP/Getty Images)

A massive banner of Putin dressed as Stalin hangs above a hill in Prague, Czech Republic, on Oct. 25, 2013. It was part of an anti-communist campaign before an early parliamentary election.

(Isifa/Getty Images)