- Joseph Stalin (1924-1953): Stalin ruled the Soviet Union for nearly three decades and is considered to be one of the most powerful and influential leaders in history. His rule was marked by brutal purges, collectivization, and the Great Terror.
- Georgy Malenkov (1953): After Stalin's death in 1953, Malenkov briefly succeeded him as the leader of the Soviet Union. However, he was soon removed from power by his rivals.
- Nikita Khrushchev (1953-1964): Khrushchev is best known for his "thaw" policy, which sought to relax some of the restrictions imposed by Stalin. He also played a key role in the Cuban Missile Crisis, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.
- Leonid Brezhnev (1964-1982): Brezhnev's rule was marked by a period of relative stability and economic growth in the Soviet Union. However, his later years were marked by increasing stagnation and corruption.
- Yuri Andropov (1982-1984): Andropov was a former KGB chief and was seen as a potential reformer. However, he died shortly after taking power.
- Konstantin Chernenko (1984-1985): Chernenko was an elderly and sickly leader who had little impact on the Soviet Union's policies.
- Mikhail Gorbachev (1985-1991): Gorbachev is considered to be the last leader of the Soviet Union. He introduced a number of reforms, including glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), which ultimately led to the collapse of the Soviet Union.