Vladimir Kulikov Member of the underground organization 'Young Guard'. Date of Birth: 14.02.1927 Country: Ukraine

Biography of Vladimir Kulikov

Vladimir Tikhonovich Kulikov was a member of the underground organization "Young Guard" and participated in many combat actions alongside his fellow young guards. He was born on February 14, 1927, in the village of Izvarino in the Krasnodon district, into a railway worker's family. According to his father, Volodya was a very curious and lively child from an early age.

In 1934, he enrolled in the first grade of Secondary School No. 1 named after A. M. Gorky. He studied well and had a great desire to learn. He could spend hours sitting with books, had a passion for photography, and enjoyed construction activities. He was a decent artist and creatively designed wall newspapers. For several years, he was a member of the school editorial board. His dream was to become a pilot, so he read specialized literature, drew speed diagrams, and made drawings of various types of aircraft.

In 1941, Volodya Kulikov completed seven grades. In the early days of the war, he went to the Belovodsky district with his schoolmates to help with harvesting. However, his cherished dream of becoming a pilot still remained. On July 1, 1942, he submitted an application to the aviation school, but due to his age, Volodya did not pass. His desire to fight the enemy led him to join the ranks of the Komsomol underground. As instructed by the headquarters, Kulikov wrote and distributed leaflets, some of which he creatively designed. One of the leaflets, featuring a red star, the Soviet flag, and the inscription "Down with fascism!", is exhibited in the "Young Guard" museum.

Vladimir Kulikov showed courage and bravery in carrying out combat missions, proving himself worthy of being a member of the Leninist Komsomol. At one of the headquarters meetings, he was accepted into the ranks of the All-Union Leninist Communist Youth League (Komsomol). His application was read aloud, and he pledged to honestly and conscientiously carry out all assignments. Oleg Koshevoy, the secretary of the underground Komsomol organization, presented him with a temporary Komsomol identity card.

On January 4, 1943, at midnight, the police stormed the Kulikov family's home and arrested Volodya. The young man behaved courageously during the interrogations. After brutal torture, the executioners threw him into the shaft of Mine No. 5. He was buried in a mass grave of heroes in the central square of the city of Krasnodon.

Vladimir Tikhonovich Kulikov was posthumously awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class, and the Medal "Partisan of the Patriotic War," 1st Class.