Soviet Survivors

The story of Vera Bagina, head of the Kyiv orphanage, about its work during the occupation of the city. Bagina recalls the living conditions of children in the institution, the requirements to…

The story of librarian Maria Egorova about life in Smolensk during the Nazi occupation. She described her work in the library at Rosenberg's headquarters, the shooting of prisoners of war, the…

Maria Kheitkova's story about her work at a valenok factory in Luga. She describes the order at the factory, the meager food, the involvement of children in the work. Kheitkova also recalls being…

The story of collective farmer Anna Kazantseva about the entry of the Wehrmacht troops to work at the factory of felt boots first in Luga, then in Riga. Kazantseva recalls the harsh living conditions…

Praskovia Samokoneva's account of life before the war, her arrest on suspicion of being Jewish, her time in the Gestapo, and the impact of the war on her son

The story of doctor Klavdia Egupova is about the arrival of German troops in Smolensk, the establishment of occupation orders, and the attitude of Germans toward women, forcing them to cohabit. The…

The story of collective farmer Maria Lapkovskaia about the repression of the Germans in the village because of partisan activity, her removal with her children to a camp in Latvia, her separation…

The story of the communist Tatiana Smirnova is about the organization of the underground movement in Brest. She describes the first days of the war, the arrival of German troops, and the persecution…

The story of schoolgirl Rita Furman about life in the catacombs, and participation in underground work in Odesa. She recalls the partisan assignments and her trips to the city and neighborhood with…