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Iosif ZubarevSoviet military leader, colonel, commander of the 340th rifle division
Date of Birth: 02.11.1907
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Content:
Early Life and Education
Ivan Evgenievich Zubarev was born on November 2, 1907, in Lopachino village, in present-day Belarus. He was one of seven children born to a peasant family. Following the Russian Revolution, Zubarev attended a seven-year school and worked as a peasant farmer. From 1926 to 1929, he studied at the Gomel Pedagogical Technical Institute, earning a degree in teaching.
Military Career
Zubarev's military career began in 1930 when he joined the Red Army as a one-year cadet. After serving as a platoon commander in the 37th Rifle Division, he rose through the ranks, becoming commander of the training platoon and then company in the 109th Rifle Regiment. In 1936, he was promoted to chief of staff of the training battalion of the 223rd Rifle Regiment.
World War II
At the outbreak of World War II, Zubarev was serving as chief of staff of the 161st Rifle Regiment. He participated in the Winter War with Finland and the Polish campaign. In 1940, he was wounded in battle and received the Order of the Red Banner for his bravery.
In 1941, Zubarev was appointed chief of staff of the newly formed 27th Rifle Brigade, later becoming its commander. He was wounded again in 1942 and promoted to colonel. He led the 316th Rifle Division in the Battle of Stalingrad, where he was concussed and later dismissed and arrested. However, he was reinstated after the charges against him were dropped.
In 1943, Zubarev became chief of staff of the 51st Rifle Corps. He was awarded the Medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad" and subsequently appointed commander of the 340th Rifle Division.
Death and Legacy
On January 10, 1944, Ivan Evgenievich Zubarev was killed in action on the Ukrainian Front. He was buried in the Eternal Glory Memorial in Kyiv. Despite his contributions, he was not posthumously awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union title, as his division had crossed the Dnieper River later than other units. However, he received the Order of Lenin and was recognized for the 340th Rifle Division's success in Operation Korsun-Shevchenkovsky in February 1944.
