Letter to V.M. Molotov, October 23, 1930

Source: Tom 17

23/X.

Vyacheslav!

1) I am sending you two reports by Reznikov about the anti-party (essentially Right-deviationist) factional grouping of Syrtsov-Lominadze. An unimaginable vileness. All the evidence indicates that Reznikov's reports correspond to reality. They were playing at a coup, playing at a Politburo, and ended up in utter disgrace.

2) As for the Tukhachevsky affair, the latter has turned out to be clean one hundred percent. This is very good.

3) Things are going more or less well for us. We have removed Lezhava and Kviring (from the People's Commissariat of Agriculture). We will formalize it in the coming days.

How are your affairs? Warm regards.

Stalin.

Source: Letters of I.V. Stalin to V.M. Molotov. 1925-1936. P. 231.

RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 1. D. 5388.

NOTE

In 1930, a mass OGPU operation was carried out against former officers of the old army. Arrested instructors at the Frunze Military Academy, Kakurin and Troitsky, gave depositions stating that Tukhachevsky, who at that time commanded the Leningrad Military District, allegedly considered the situation in the country to be grave and was biding his time for a favorable moment to seize power and establish a military dictatorship, and that Tukhachevsky had many supporters in military circles.

Stalin, together with Ordzhonikidze and Voroshilov, verified the depositions of Kakurin and Troitsky. A confrontation was held at which they confirmed their depositions. Gamarnik, Yakir, and Dubovoy were questioned.

Later, in June 1937, at a session of the Military Council under the People's Commissariat of Defense, Stalin interrupted Shchadenko's speech with the following remark:

"We turned to Comrades Dubovoy, Yakir, and Gamarnik. Is it correct that Tukhachevsky should be arrested as an enemy? All three said no, this must be some kind of misunderstanding, it is not correct... We held a confrontation and decided to close the matter."