Sergei Kirov was a prominent Soviet politician and a key figure in the early years of the Soviet Union. Born on March 27, 1886, in Urzhum, he became the leader of the Leningrad regional party organization. Kirov was known for his loyalty to Joseph Stalin and played a significant role in the Communist Party during the 1920s and 1930s. Kirov's assassination on December 1, 1934, marked a turning point in Soviet history, leading to the onset of the Great Purge. His death was used by Stalin as a pretext to eliminate political rivals and consolidate power. Kirov's legacy remains controversial, as he is often viewed as a martyr by some and a victim of Stalin's repressive regime.