Russia Split On Stalin: Hero Or Villain?

A government-backed drive is promoting textbooks which say his reign of terror was entirely rational and necessary to make Russia great.

We visited a school in Volgograd - formerly Stalingrad - and found patriotism and pride for Russia and its pivotal role in the Second World War are still strong.

During a history lesson pupils learned about Joseph Stalin the hero - not the villain.

The students are bright and engaged - the Kremlin's initiative to reinterpret history seems to be working.