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Sergey BolgarianHero of the Soviet Union, honorary citizen of Lida (1985).
Date of Birth: 10.10.1925
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
- Early Life and Military Service
- Heroism in Battle
- Lida Advance (July 8, 1944)
- Dzitva River Crossing (July 10, 1944)
- Later Life
- Legacy
Early Life and Military Service
Born into a peasant family in the village of Korotnoye, Moldavian SSR, Ivan Lazarev was drafted into the Red Army in 1943. He fought on the Pribaltic and 3rd Belorussian Fronts as a private and machine gunner with the 86th Cavalry Regiment of the 32nd Smolensk Division.
Heroism in Battle
Sharkey Battle (June 25, 1944)During the Battle of Sharkey, Lazarev single-handedly eliminated an enemy machine gun and killed 25 German soldiers, capturing 3 prisoners.
Lida Advance (July 8, 1944)
Approaching Lida, Lazarev's machine gun fire decimated 50 German soldiers in the vicinity of Tatartsy village.
Dzitva River Crossing (July 10, 1944)
In the fierce battle to cross the Dzitva River near Porechany village, Lazarev stormed the railway bridge, killing enemy sappers attempting to detonate it. His machine gun support enabled the cavalry squadron to seize the bridge.
Later Life
After sustaining severe injuries during the crossing of the Nemunas River, Lazarev worked in various economic sectors. He settled in Pokrovka village, Odessa Oblast, in 1950 and became a tractor brigade leader. Lazarev joined the Communist Party in 1962.
Legacy
In honor of his heroism, a stele has been erected near the village of Porechany. Lazarev was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and became an honorary citizen of Lida in 1985.
