The key facts
- Nikolay Vasilyev died — a Great Patriotic War veteran, Bashkiria's oldest paratrooper, 12 days short of turning 103
- He served as a scout on the Third Ukrainian Front, took part in the battles for Kiev and the Dnieper, and liberated Czechoslovakia, Austria and Hungary
- After the war he served for 25 years in Ufa's law enforcement agencies and was awarded the title of honorary citizen of the city
Death of the veteran
In Ufa, in his 103rd year of life, Nikolay Vasilyev, a Great Patriotic War veteran and Bashkiria's oldest paratrooper, has died. He was just 12 days short of his birthday. The front-line soldier's death was announced by the head of the Kalininsky district administration of Ufa, Gazizyan Akhmedyanov.
Wartime path
Nikolay Vasilyevich was born on November 2, 1923, in Leningrad. In 1941, after finishing school, he went to the front, and a year later he was assigned to the airborne troops. He served as a scout in the Third Ukrainian Front. During the war years he took part in the battles for Kiev and the Dnieper, and liberated Czechoslovakia, Austria and Hungary. His merits were recognized with awards, including the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd degree, and the Order of Glory, 3rd degree. According to the publication, during the war he made more than 200 combat parachute jumps.
Life after the war
After the Victory, Vasilyev continued his service in the Vienna commandant's office, then moved to Ufa and joined the law enforcement agencies, to which he devoted 25 years. The veteran was awarded the title of honorary citizen of the city.
Recent years
Until his last years, Vasilyev took part in commemorative events and met with young people. In May 2026, a personal Victory parade was held in his honor: cadets, Yunarmiya members and emergency ministry class students marched solemnly past the windows of his home. The veteran thanked the participants for their attention and support.
Other losses
Life.ru also recalls that on October 3, 102-year-old war participant Ivan Timchenko died in Surgut — after the front he took part in the development of oil fields in Western Siberia and was awarded the Order of Lenin for his labor achievements. And on October 6, 101-year-old veteran Alexey Shkuratenko died in Stavropol Krai; he took part in the liberation of European cities and, after the war, met with schoolchildren.
