Paulus commanded a 360.000 strong army that was previously responsible for many atrocities, including mass shootings of Jews and Ukrainians at Babi Yar - one of the cruelest scenes of the war. His capture in the rank of field marshal was a major blow to the reputation of Wehrmacht command. He made the situation even worse for Hitler by switching sides and going for the Soviets, helping the anti-Hitler propaganda machine in the German ranks.

Conventional morals may question Stalin’s decision, and family values were strong in Stalin’s USSR. But he was also responsible for millions of Soviet soldiers and civilians, and any blow to Wehrmacht meant closer victory and less victims. Someone else’s sons and daughters.