Museum of the Security Service

The museum was originally set up in 1984 to give new recruits to the Russian Secret Service an idea of the history of the organization, but its focus changed rapidly toward boosting the KGB's image and redefining its bloody role in Russia's history. Groups are guided through the museum by a member of the service and fed the official version of the KGB's activities. No mention is made of the horrific torture and interrogation procedures that were commonplace during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s, nor is justification given for the very conservative estimate of 700,000 - 800,000 people that the KGB claims to have shot during its existence. Much is made of notorious foreign spies that were captured by the KGB and the bravery and skill of Soviet spies in Germany and Switzerland, who infiltrated the Nazi organization and gave warning of Hitler's invasion during WWII. Light-hearted displays feature some of the more weird and wonderful gadgets used by the service over its numerous years in the espionage game, and the visitor comes away with an utterly fabricated and distorted impression of the role of the KGB this century. This is a curious museum and a must-see for all those interested in Soviet history.