Yes they were liberated. And soviet union wasnt a dictatorial state, it was a state ruled by CPSU which had its member elected by the workers soviets, it wasnt a one man show but a systematic vanguard party formed by elected members. Also if you see the stark difference in worker rights, women rights, minority rights, racial raws between USSR and USA in their time you would understand who was liberated and who was not. Hope that helps.

Authoritarianism is a buzzword which liberals use to diminish any alternative political system.