Klavdiya Kovaleva Member of the underground organization 'Young Guard'. Date of Birth: 15.04.1925 Country: Ukraine

1. Biography of Klavdia Kovaleva
2. Joining the Resistance
3. Resistance during Occupation
4. Arrest and Execution

Biography of Klavdia Kovaleva

Klavdia Kovaleva was born on April 15, 1925, in the village of Novoaleksandrovka, Krasnodon district, in a family of civil servants. She started her education in 1933 at the Novoaleksandrovka School. Klavdia was the eldest child in the family and was taught the value of hard work by her mother, Efrosinia Alexandrovna. She helped take care of her younger siblings and was always eager to assist her mother. In 1935, the Kovalev family moved to Krasnodon, where Klavdia continued her education at various schools, including School No. 1 named after A. M. Gorky and the newly opened School No. 4 named after K. E. Voroshilov. Klavdia was involved in various extracurricular activities, such as playing in a string orchestra and participating in a drama club.

Joining the Resistance

Prior to the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War, Klavdia completed eight grades of schooling. In 1941, she had to leave her beloved school as it was transformed into a hospital. Students like Klavdia came to the hospital to help the wounded and write letters on their behalf. She continued her studies at School No. 1 named after A. M. Gorky. However, Klavdia did not complete her education and instead found employment as a telephone operator at Fire Station No. 1 in Krasnodon. She proved to be a disciplined and dedicated worker, which led to her being accepted into the ranks of the Leninist Komsomol.

Resistance during Occupation

During the occupation, Klavdia and her family relocated to Novoaleksandrovka. Despite the distance, she stayed connected with her comrades in Krasnodon, often visiting and returning with excitement and joy. Klavdia was involved in distributing leaflets with Ivan Zemnukhov and Vasily Pirozhok in Pervomaysk and the marketplace.

Arrest and Execution

In early January 1943, Klavdia Kovaleva was arrested and taken to Krasnodon. After enduring brutal torture, she was executed near the shaft of Mine No. 5 on the night of January 16. Her body was found with severe injuries: a swollen face, the right breast severed, burned feet, the left hand amputated, and signs of beatings. It is believed that she was thrown there while still alive. Klavdia was buried in a mass grave for heroes in the central square of Krasnodon.

Klavdia Petrovna Kovaleva was posthumously awarded the Medal "Partisan of the Great Patriotic War" of the 1st degree.