Russia

Thousands Attend Gorbachev Funeral

Published SEP 3 2022

Story

Image credit: EPA [via BBC]

The Facts

On Sat., thousands of Russians attended the funeral of former USSR leader Mikhail Gorbachev who passed away last week. To accommodate the high number of attendees the two-hour ceremony was extended an additional two hours.
Axios
He was laid to rest next to his late wife Raisa at the Novodevichy cemetery, where several prominent Russian leaders have been buried, including the country's first post-Soviet president, Boris Yeltsin.
The Telegraph
Gorbachev wasn't given an official state funeral. He is globally seen as helping to bring down the Iron Curtain, but critics blame him for the collapse of the Soviet Union and pushing the country into economic despair.
USA Today
Current Russian Pres. Putin didn't attend the funeral, citing his work schedule. Putin has held a contentious relationship with Gorbachev calling his failure to prevent the collapse of the Soviet Union the "greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century."
BBC News
Many ordinary Russians attended the ceremony, laid flower bouquets, and took photographs of the former leader.
CNN
The only other former Soviet leader not to receive a formal state funeral was Nikita Khrushchev. He was credited with liberalizing Russia. In 1964, he was removed as the Community Party leader and criticized by his successors.
wapo

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Gorbachev and his willingness to stand up for democracy and freedom were well received across the world. His achievements, humility and the many awards and accolades he received for his statesmanship show his true character. It's shameful that, after all these years, he remains disliked and discarded by the people of his homeland.

Politico

Narrative B

Gorbachev wasn't a supporter of the western democratic model, but of the Soviet Union. Policies like glasnost and perestroika - that western media are trying to argue were democratic reforms - were designed to improve the USSR by fostering better communication and kickstarting Soviet institutions. We can only be thankful Gorbachev didn't understand the true consequences his reforms would eventually have.