Naimark describes Stalin as the mastermind behind the dekulakization campaign; Stalin ordered the attack, oversaw the operations, and made it clear that the kulaks were to be “eliminated as a class: killed, displaced, deported, and dispersed to special settlements” (58). Stalin was also well aware of the atrocious conditions of the special settlements and at times even reduced funding for the settlements, making the life of the kulaks even more unbearable. Naimark argues that “Stalin's indifference to this suffering and death was certainly murderous, if not genocidal” (53). While there is no doubt that Stalin is a ruthless killer, it is questionable whether Stalin intended to destroy the kulaks as a class. Overall, it appears that Stalin targeted anyone who challenged his policies, so the "kulak" category was actually a group of dissidents rather than a particular social or political group.