21 Jan 2022Khrushchevwasborn in a Russian village close to theUkrainianborder, but raised in Eastern Ukraine, which is now de facto ruled by pro-Russian rebels backed by Moscow. In time,Khrushchevbecame the head of theUkrainianSoviet Socialist Republic. After Joseph Stalin's death, he consolidated power and led the Soviet state between 1953 and 1964.