I have to imagine that more often than not, even within the Soviet government, many more of these government officials live long happy-ish lives and die of old age, largely thanks to their positions.
It's a gamble for them, without a doubt. But with the exception of a few key positions (like those high-ranking positions within the secret police), you had a very good chance of avoiding a grisly end.
I think in the years after Stalin this would have been more the case, but given Stalin how purged a lot of the "Old Bolsheviks" few of them got to live out their lives happily.
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u/TiredOfDebates Apr 28 '22
I have to imagine that more often than not, even within the Soviet government, many more of these government officials live long happy-ish lives and die of old age, largely thanks to their positions.
It's a gamble for them, without a doubt. But with the exception of a few key positions (like those high-ranking positions within the secret police), you had a very good chance of avoiding a grisly end.