Talk:Nikolai Kuznetsov (admiral)

This article read like a communist leaflet

"Under Kuznetsov, the ship became an outstanding example of discipline and organization, quickly drawing attention to her young captain."

No source. Also a little unspecific. How and why did the ship become an example. What did he actually do? How does an outstanding ship draw attention anyways? Did they have shiny boots, while the other ships did not?

"Serving during the early stages of the Spanish Civil War, he developed a strong dislike of fascism."

This one is the worst offender. "he developed a strong dislike of fascism"?? First of all, who doesn't? What should this be part of a biographical Wikipedia article? What does it mean? What does it entail? Did he read about political philosophy while in Spain? Why do his likes and dislikes matter? Did he like icecream? When did he start liking icecream?

"Kuznetsov resisted the purges at every step, and his intervention saved the lives of many Soviet officers."

There should really be a source for this. Especially because he was in a high position during the purge and never implicated. This makes it highly likly that he did not resist.

Those three sentences I quoted above should simply be deleted. Or sourced. But please source them not from a communist propaganda leaflet.

"Kuznetsov played a crucial role during the first hours of the war – at this pivotal moment, his resolve and blatant disregard for orders averted the destruction of the Soviet Navy. By June 21, 1941, Kuznetzov was convinced of the inevitability of war with Nazi Germany. On the same day Semyon Timoshenko and Georgy Zhukov issued a directive prohibiting Soviet commanders from responding to "German provocations". The Navy, however, constituted a distinct ministry (narkomat), and thus Kuznetsov held a position which was technically outside the direct chain of command. He utilized this fact in a very bold move."

Why and how do we know that Kuznetzov became convinced of a war with Germany on that exact day? Source or no source. This should mention the cause of Kuzetzov's revelation. Did he dream of a war with Germany? Did God send him an angel? Did he receive intelligence?

I feel like the whole article is more a "source" from Soviet times about the admiral instead of a biographic article in a modern encyclopedia. Because it is written "propaganda style". I need to abstract when reading. It isn't factual, but glorifying.

Well, that's how they are written in Russian Wikipedia, but I might try to fix that (make it more neutral). :)--Biografer (talk) 23:49, 3 April 2018 (UTC)

I agree with some of what you have stated. In particular: "Kuznetsov himself was never implicated, but many of the officers under his command were. Kuznetsov resisted the purges at every step, and his intervention saved the lives of many Soviet officers." I am discomfitted & disappointed there is no source citation as, I would like to believe it. Yet, Kuznetsov progressing without implication despite purge resistance & officers beneath him somehow being saved, just does not ring true for the period. A period when the mediocre & Yes People progressed. A period when resistance was seen as "wrecking" & "sabotage". A period when the brilliantly bright - like Tukhachevsky, were murdered on fabricated charges. Perhaps all of this information is gleaned from The Great Soviet Encyclopaedia? Which I would be grateful to have an edition of. If so, maybe this article should just be left as written. It certainly reads as a curio. DieselEstate (talk) 19:52, 15 March 2022 (UTC)