Official website of the President of Russia

During a visit by President Vladimir Putin to Poland, an awards ceremony was held for Soviet soldiers who took part in the liberation of Poland.

Yakov Ivanovich VINICHENKO

Born 18 October 1925 in the village of Tyshkov in the Gaisin region of the Vinnitsk Oblast. Drafted into the war in 1941. In 1945, served in the 107th rifle division that liberated Auschwitz. Finished the war as a commander of a machine-gun company. Has two serious and two minor wounds. Awarded the Order of the Patriotic War of the 1st degree and the Order of the Cavalry Cross Order for services to the Republic of Poland, along with numerous medals.

Genri Nikolaevich KOPTEV-GOMOLOV

Born 4 June 1926 in the town of Balashikha in the Moscow Oblast. Drafted into the army in 1943, got to the front in summer 1944. Served in the 1,085th rifle regiment of the 322 division, commander of the 45-milimetre anti-tank weapon. Shot down a Nazi self-propelled gun in the liberation of Auschwitz, for which he received the Order of Glory of the 3rd degree. Also awarded the Order of the Patriotic War of the 2nd degree, and numerous medals.

Ivan Stepanovich MARTYNUSHKIN

Born in 1923 in the village of Poshchupovo in the Ryazan’ Oblast. Graduated from the Khabarovsk machine gun and mortar institute in 1942. Sent to the front in 1943. Served in the 1087th regiment of the 322 rifle division, commander of a machine-gun company. Has two wounds. Was among the first Soviet soldiers to enter Auschwitz. Awarded the Order of the Red Star, the Badge of Honour, the Medal for Victory over Germany, the Zhukov Medal, and numerous other medals.

Nikolai Aleksandrovich CHERTKOV

Born 7 September 1923 in the village of Korbolikha in the Altai Krai. Drafted in January 1943. Served in the 1087th rifle regiment of the 322nd division, commander of a rifle company. Has three wounds and shell-shock. Awarded the Order of the Patriotic War of the 1st and 2nd degree, the Order of the Red Star, the Order of the Red Banner, the medal for military services, and many other medals.

Anatoly Pavlovich SHAPIRO (not present at the ceremony)

Born 18 January 1913 in the town of Konstantinograd (Ukraine). Served in the 100th rifle division of the 106th rifle corps. Worked his way up the ranks from a platoon commander to a commander of a separate marines rifle battalion. One of the first soldiers to enter Auschwitz. Injured and shell-shocked in battle. Awarded with two Orders of the Red Star, two Orders of the Patriotic War of the 1st degree, for the Liberation of Krakow, the Order of the Patriotic War of the 2nd degree, and numerous medals.