How did soviet union use gulag?

The Soviet Union utilized the Gulag system as a network of forced labor camps to imprison political dissidents, criminals, and various marginalized groups. These camps served multiple purposes: they were a means of political repression, a method to instill fear, and a source of cheap labor for state projects. Conditions in the Gulags were often brutal, leading to high mortality rates among inmates. The system was emblematic of the broader authoritarian tactics employed by the Stalinist regime to consolidate power and suppress opposition.