To what extent was Stalin's rule a disaster for the Soviet Union and its people?

"Stalin's rule was disastrous in certain aspects such as industrialisation, collectivisation, the purges and the culture and social aspects of Russia at this time, but in the course of the hardship endured by all, a new and better country was formed. Through the period of Stalin's dictatorship, it was not an ideal place to live, but his goals were substantially fulfilled for the model Russia."

Consider the question along the context set by the paragraph above, and see if you can make any good notes on it.