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Upon returning from exile and settling in St. Petersburg, Yagoda became involved in the Bolshevik revolution. As the Communist party gained power, he secured a position in the Cheka, the secret police established to eliminate opposition. His ascendancy was meteoric; by 1927, he became head of the OGPU, the successor to the Cheka, overseeing operations against supposed enemies of the state.
His notable participation in the violent suppression of anti-Stalin demonstrations earned him favor. Yet, despite his loyalty to Stalin’s regime, Yagoda navigated precarious political waters, particularly during major campaigns like forced collectivization.