On 24 October 1956, Soviet russia began “liberating” Hungary.

The Hungarian people sought freedom from Soviet oppression. Moscow claimed it was a “fascist revolution financed by the imperialist West.”

Inspired by anti-Soviet demonstrations in Poland on October 19, Hungary began protesting on October 23, tearing down an 8-meter-high, nearly 6-ton statue of Stalin on the edge of Budapest’s City Park. Only the boots remained.

Protests continued. On October 25, the Soviets and the secret police opened fire on roughly 6,000 peaceful demonstrators in Kossuth Square. The number of casualties is estimated to be close to 1,000.

But the protests persisted. The Hungarian government eventually had to concede. A new government was formed, and the prime minister ordered the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Hungary. This meant independence.

The Soviet government didn’t want to lose Hungary and decided to crush the revolution by military force. On November 2, 12 new military divisions arrived in Hungary in addition to the existing 5. The rebellion was crushed.

In the next three years, about 400 people were executed for participating in the revolution, more than 21,668 were imprisoned, and 18,000 were deported.

Since 1957, the October events were taught as a “fascist counter-revolution,” and many Hungarians still believe this propaganda today.

Hungary only regained independence when the Soviet Empire collapsed.

~ Soviet Union = russian Federation = same narrative

@ukrainejournal