ACTIVITIES OF THE NKVD IN THE USSR DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
Authors:   Orel Law Institute of the Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation named after V.V. Lukyanov, KOROBOV A.A. 
Published: December 2024

The purpose of the study is to study the role of the NKVD in the USSR during the Second World War. The issue is highly relevant in the context of historical research, as well as for understanding the events of this period. The NKVD played a significant role both in the defense of the country and in organizing the rear, counterintelligence and maintaining order in the occupied territories. The study allows to understand the mechanisms of functioning of the Soviet special services during the war, their contribution to ensuring the country's security, as well as assess the influence of NKVD units on the course of events and the outcome of the war.
Analysing the NKVD activities during the Second World War helps to expand knowledge about the complex and multifaceted role of this department during the war years. This also helps to deeper understand the sacrifices and exploits of NKVD employees, their contribution to the country's defense and the fight against the enemy. To study the NKVD history on the military front and in the rear in order to identify lessons and examples that can be used in modern conditions to ensure the country's security and protect the interests of the state Iis of great importance.
The methodology includes various approaches and methods for studying historical sources. The methods help to study archival documents, eyewitness accounts, publications and scientific research related to the activities of the NKVD during the Second World War. Analysing official documents helps to reveal the functions and tasks of the NKVD, their participation in military operations and interaction with other structures. Comparing the activities of the NKVD in the USSR with other military and intelligence services of other countries during the Second World War reveals the features and effectiveness of the actions of the Soviet intelligence services. It is necessary to take into account the historical and political context of the time in which the NKVD units operated in order to understand the motives and reasons for their actions.
Currently, in accordance with modern trends in the development of Russian society; With the growth of patriotism, interest in history, and understanding of spiritual and moral imperatives, interest in the history of the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945, the role of both individual fighters of various branches of the military, and the entire people as a whole, is being updated. The author makes an attempt to understand the role of NKVD during the Second World War, especially during its most difficult period, namely 1941–1943, when NKVD employees faced new tasks, new challenges, which had to be answered necessary as quickly and professionally as possible. In many ways, these challenges are consonant with the modern realities of the activities of employees of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation.
Based on the analysis of the data, the author concludes that the contribution of the NKVD in various aspects of wartime was significant.
The study of the role of the NKVD in the USSR during the Second World War is an important and relevant historical research area, contributing to a deeper understanding of the history of the Soviet intelligence services and their impact on the events during the war.