AUTHOR

Robin Gillham

Robin is keenly fascinated by Soviet history, especially the period following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the 1980s. He has written two dissertations on the social impact of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and traveled to the abandoned nuclear town of Pripyat and the exclusion zone. He also has a passion for the history of space exploration, photography, and Japanese folklore. He holds a BA in History from Bangor University and an MA in Russian and Post-Soviet Politics from UCL. In his spare time, he explores abandoned Soviet military bases and documents his experiences through his photography.

Education:University College London, 2016MA Russian and Post-Soviet PoliticsBangor University, 2014BA HistoryExpertise:

Soviet Union

Chernobyl

Soviet Space Program

NASA

History of Nuclear Power

Member since: Jul 01, 2021Location: United KingdomPublished posts: 14

Articles by Robin Gillham

Embalming Lenin: Why Was the Soviet Founder Permanently Preserved?

The 1999 Apartment Bombings in Russia: History & Unanswered Questions

In 1999, bombings spread terror across Russia and led to the Second Chechen War. Here’s what happened and why so many questions remain unanswered.

Collectivization in the USSR: How Did It Work?

Collectivization transformed the Soviet Union from a rural economy into an industrial powerhouse. Explore how this policy worked and the dire consequences it had.

The Real-Life Inspirations Behind Japanese Yōkai Folklore

Yōkai are a key part of Japanese folklore. This article explores how religious practices, mythology, and natural phenomena led to their development.

The Impact of NASA’s Shuttle-Mir Program on Space Exploration

In the 1990s, Russia and the United States worked together on the Shuttle-Mir program. Here’s how it paved the way for space exploration today.

The 8 Must-See Rooms at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Was Chernobyl the Catalyst for the Soviet Union’s Collapse?

How did the economic and political fallout from Chernobyl spark a meltdown of the Soviet Union itself?

Trofim Lysenko: The Controversial Scientist Who Changed the Soviet Union

Joseph Stalin: How Did He Die and What Happened Next?

How did Joseph Stalin die, and what happened to the Soviet Union afterwards? Read on to find out more about the circumstances of his death.

The Soviet Union: How and Why Did it Fall?

The August Coup: The Soviet Plan to Overthrow Gorbachev

In 1991, tanks rolled down the streets of Moscow. This was the August coup, an attempt by the remaining Soviet hardliners to bring down Mikhail Gorbachev.

Stalin vs Trotsky: The Soviet Union at a Crossroads

Following Lenin's death, Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky fought for control of the Communist Party. How did Stalin ultimately come out on top?