Soviet Flag in Berlin

Mikhail Yegorov and Meliton Kantaria were seen as symbols of the USSR's triumph over Nazi Germany in World War II by millions of Soviet citizens. These two individuals were soldiers in the Red Army who proudly raised a red flag over the damaged Reichstag in Berlin on April 30, 1945. The photograph that captured this momentous event has since become an iconic representation of the Second World War.

In the closing days of World War II, the Red Army smashed its way into the German capital. 29 April 1945 marked the start of a brutal and bloody battle for the Reichstag, defended by some 1,000 men. According to the official version of events, in the evening of the next day, as fighting continued, Yegorov and Kantaria climbed onto the building’s roof and hoisted the banner of victory. The story was never disputed during the Soviet era and the two men went down in history as Red Army icons. Yet, they were not the first ones to raise the flag. And the legendary photo of the banner being raised didn’t capture the actual moment of Soviet glory.

Joseph Stalin had instructed his troops to hoist the flag on the Reichstag building by May 1, 1945. They were informed that any red cloth attached to the building would signify the capture of Berlin. Many soldiers used whatever scraps they could find to create their flags. The events that followed are a topic of much discussion. Some accounts suggest that there was a rush to be the first to raise a flag, with numerous volunteers stepping forward. Others describe a demoralized and weary army, aware that victory was near but unwilling to risk their lives in the final days of the war.Yegorov and Kantaria were only able to reach the roof during the second wave of the attack, which occurred late at night. This means that they raised their flag on May 1st.

Matrosov - Unheard of Heroism

Aleksandr Matrosov was a Soviet soldier who bravely sacrificed his life during World War II. There are multiple versions of his biography, and historians are still researching the details of his life and death. According to the traditional account, Matrosov was born on February 5, 1924 in Dnepropetrovsk. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised in an orphanage and later ended up in a labor colony in Ufa. In November 1942, Matrosov volunteered to join the Soviet infantry and fought on the front lines. On February 27, 1943, during a battle near Pskov, he heroically blocked a Nazi machine gun pillbox with his body, allowing his comrades to continue the attack and secure victory. Matrosov was posthumously awarded the title of "Hero of the Soviet Union" on June 19, 1943. Josef Stalin praised his actions, stating that Matrosov's bravery should serve as an example for all Red Army soldiers. Inspired by his actions, over 300 soldiers repeated Matrosov's courageous feat during World War II.

Aleksandr Matrosov was laid to rest in a shared burial site located in the town of Velikie Luki near Pskov. Memorials honoring Aleksandr Matrosov were constructed in Ufa, along with numerous other cities. His name was bestowed upon streets, museums, schools, cinemas, and ships.

 Feat in the sky

Nikolay Gastello, a captain in the Soviet air force, became a symbol of heroism during the Soviet era. His story inspired many young boys to pursue careers as pilots. However, as the iron curtain fell, doubts and debates arose regarding the authenticity of Gastello's legend. Was it true or just another Soviet myth?

During the Second World War, known as the Great Patriotic War in Russia, Gastello led the 42nd Bombardment Division. He was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union title for life after his plane was supposedly shot down by Nazi troops. Instead of saving his own life by abandoning the aircraft, Gastello made the courageous decision to ram a column of German tanks.

According to the official account, on June 26, 1941, Captain Nikolay Gastello led a flight team of two bombers to attack a column of Nazi tanks and fuel trucks in Belarus. The crew of the second plane reported that they were already turning back after using up most of their ammunition when Gastello's Ilyushin-4 bomber was hit directly. Despite the damage, Gastello made another turn and rammed the remaining German troops on the ground. The following night, locals discovered the bodies of Gastello and his crew near the crash site and buried them, wrapping them in parachutes.

Gastello's act of bravery earned him the prestigious Hero of the Soviet Union title for life. His story became a shining example of Soviet heroism in the fight against Nazi Germany.

Pavlov House - Hell for the Nazis

Yakov Pavlov is recognized as a hero of the Battle of Stalingrad, a pivotal moment in WWII. He was part of the defenders of "Pavlov's House," a four-story building that became a symbol of Soviet resistance against the Nazis during the 58-day defense.

While Soviet propaganda portrayed Pavlov as a saint, documents revealed after the collapse of the Soviet Union showed that his role was not as significant as believed. However, this does not diminish the bravery and endurance of the Soviet soldier.

In July 1942, Pavlov arrived in Stalingrad and joined the 13th guard division under General Aleksandr Rodimtsev. He led a machinegun squad and trained near the city before reentering Stalingrad in September, where he was tasked with determining the enemy's position in the strategically important four-story building on January 9 Square, which was occupied by the Germans.

Sergeant Yakov Pavlov led a four-man scouting party that successfully drove out the enemy and held their position until reinforcements arrived. The defense lasted for 58 days. According to Soviet propaganda, Pavlov was solely in charge of defending the house with only 24 soldiers under his command. However, Lieutenant Ivan Aphanasiev took over command as soon as the reinforcement units arrived. The actual number of defenders varied from 28 to 100 at different points during the standoff. On 25 November 1942, Pavlov was wounded during a German counterattack. After recovering in the hospital, he rejoined the army and even traveled as far as the Baltic Sea.

The Nazis brutally tortured a girl

Zoya Anatolyevna Kosmodemyanskaya was a guerilla fighter and a member of a Red Army Western Front sabotage and reconnaissance force. She was the first woman to be awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union during World War II. On October 31, 1941, Zoya joined a sabotage school with 2,000 young communist volunteers and became a member of a sabotage and reconnaissance force known as the "guerilla troop of the 9903rd staff of the Western Front." After a brief training period, she was sent to the Volokolamsk District of the Moscow Region where she successfully laid mines on a road. Following Stalin's order to prevent the German army from occupying towns and villages, Zoya and her group were tasked with burning and destroying settlements in the German rear. On November 27, Zoya, along with Boris Kraynev and Vasily Klubkov, set fire to three houses in Petrishchevo where German soldiers and officers were stationed. Despite facing heavy casualties and being captured by the Nazis, Zoya showed immense bravery and determination in her mission.

During the interrogation, Zoya, who identified herself as Tanya, refused to provide any concrete information. In response, the Germans subjected her to physical abuse, stripping her naked and whipping her. They then forced her to endure the freezing cold outside. Local women also joined in the humiliation, throwing a pot filled with dishwater at her. As a consequence, they were also sentenced to death. The following morning, Zoya was executed by hanging, with a tablet bearing the word "arsonist" placed on her chest. Her body remained suspended for an additional month, enduring further mistreatment from passing German soldiers. Eventually, the Germans ordered the removal of the gallows, and Zoya's body was initially buried outside the village. Later, she was reburied at the Novodevichye Cemetery in Moscow.