Photographs

Original Soviet portrait photograph of Andrei Mikhailovich Uvarov (1915–?), a decorated Soviet medical officer who served with the 475th Rifle Regiment, 53rd Rifle Division during the Great Patriotic War.

Uvarov served in the Red Army from 1939 and saw combat from June 1941 onward. During the war he served as a medical feldsher / senior medical officer responsible for frontline medical support, evacuation of wounded personnel, and emergency battlefield treatment under combat conditions.

Archival award research identifies him as a recipient of multiple wartime decorations, including:

• Order of the Red Star (Орден Красной Звезды)
• Medal for Battle Merit (За Боевые Заслуги)

His award citations describe distinguished service during major combat operations, including the Dnieper battles in 1943 and fighting in the Carpathian Mountains in 1944, where he repeatedly displayed courage while evacuating and treating wounded soldiers under enemy fire.

The portrait shows Uvarov in the postwar period wearing his wartime decorations, including:

• 2x Order of the Red Star
• Campaign and service medals

A very desirable named portrait of a decorated Soviet medical officer with strong documented frontline service and excellent wartime history.

Included:

• Original portrait photograph only

Original Soviet officer portrait photograph depicting Andrei Vasilyevich Kulagin (1907–?), a decorated Soviet aviation officer and veteran of both the Winter War and the Great Patriotic War.

The reverse identifies him as Lieutenant Colonel Andrei Vasilyevich Kulagin, making this a fully named and documented portrait.

Digital archival research links this portrait to Kulagin, who served during the Second World War as Assistant Commander for Air Gunnery Service within the 11th Independent Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment (11 ORAP).

Kulagin, a Russian officer and Communist Party member since 1931, served in the Red Army from 1929. He participated in the Winter War (1939–1940) and later fought in the Great Patriotic War from 22 June 1941, serving on the:

• Bryansk Front
• Kalinin Front
• 1st Belorussian Front

Archival records confirm he was awarded the Order of the Red Star (Орден Красной Звезды) for distinguished wartime service.

The award citation highlights Kulagin’s major contribution to Soviet combat aviation training and operational readiness. Previously serving with the 683rd Assault Aviation Regiment, he helped retrain personnel for combat operations using the Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft.

Later, within the 11th Independent Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment, Kulagin played a key role in training young flight crews in aerial gunnery, reconnaissance operations, and fighter defense tactics.

Under his instruction:

• 13 new flight crews were trained
• The regiment completed 550 combat reconnaissance sorties in 1944
• Crews survived 50 encounters with enemy fighters
• Combat losses remained exceptionally low, with only one aircraft lost and no personnel losses

The portrait shows Kulagin later in service as a Lieutenant Colonel, wearing an impressive medal bar including two Orders of the Red Star, alongside multiple Soviet wartime and postwar decorations.

A highly attractive researched Soviet aviation-related portrait with strong wartime provenance, named identification, and exceptional combat service history. A very desirable piece for collectors of Soviet Air Force and aviation-related material.

Included:

• Original portrait photograph
• Digital archival research scans

Original Soviet officer portrait photograph depicting Anton Borisovich Salyamov (1923–?), a decorated Soviet officer and veteran of the Great Patriotic War.

The reverse identifies him as Anton Borisovich Salyamov, making this a fully named and documented portrait.

Digital archival research links this portrait to Salyamov, who served within the 141st Guards Rifle Regiment, 46th Guards Rifle Division during the Second World War.

Salyamov, of Tatar nationality and a member of the Communist Party, entered the Red Army on 16 October 1941 and participated in combat operations from September 1943 onward.

Archival records confirm he was awarded the Order of the Red Star (Орден Красной Звезды) for bravery and distinguished frontline service during combat operations against German forces.

According to the award citation, Salyamov distinguished himself during offensive operations by showing courage, determination, and leadership under heavy enemy fire. He actively participated in assaults against enemy defensive positions, remained in forward combat zones, and contributed to the successful completion of combat objectives.

The portrait shows Salyamov later in service wearing an impressive medal bar, including two Orders of the Red Star, multiple Soviet campaign medals, and additional postwar decorations.

A highly attractive researched Soviet officer portrait with strong wartime provenance, named identification, and documented combat service. An excellent piece for collectors of Soviet militaria, Guards units, and researched Eastern Front material.

Included:

• Original portrait photograph
• Digital archival research scans

Original vintage Soviet officer portrait photograph depicting Mikhail Leontievich Beketov (1921–?), a decorated Red Army officer and veteran of the Great Patriotic War.

Beketov served as a Lieutenant and communications platoon commander in the 229th Rifle Regiment, 52nd Rifle Division. Archival award research confirms he entered the Red Army in March 1941 and served at the front from July 1941 onward, seeing heavy combat throughout the war.

During his wartime service, Beketov was wounded three times:

• 24 August 1941 – serious chest wound
• 18 August 1943 – gunshot wound to left thigh
• 17 November 1943 – wounded in left arm during fighting in the Kirovograd region

Despite repeated wounds, he continued frontline service and distinguished himself as a communications officer under heavy enemy fire.

Digital archival research shows Beketov was awarded the Order of the Red Star for bravery and exceptional service. His citation states he maintained critical battlefield communications under intense combat conditions, personally repaired communication lines, ensured uninterrupted command between battalion headquarters and frontline units, and during combat personally eliminated 5 German soldiers while capturing 3 enemy soldiers prisoner.

The portrait shows Beketov wearing his wartime and postwar decorations, including the clearly visible Order of the Red Star, along with multiple Soviet campaign/service medals.

An excellent researched Soviet officer portrait with strong wartime history, combat awards, and documented frontline service. A highly desirable piece for collectors of Soviet militaria, researched award groups, and Eastern Front material.

Included:

• Original portrait photograph
• Digital research scans of archival award documents

Original Soviet portrait photograph of decorated Red Army veteran Yakov Timofeevich Ryabenko (Рябенко Яков Тимофеевич), a documented Order of Glory recipient.

The reverse identifies the recipient as: Ryabenko Yakov Timofeevich. Photographed: 15 January 1968

Archival research confirms Ryabenko served as a gunner (layer) in the: 196th Artillery Regiment

Born in 1926, Ryabenko entered the Red Army in May 1943 and fought on the Baltic Front during the Great Patriotic War.

Award records show he was recommended for the Order of Glory III Class for bravery during offensive combat operations in 1944.

During fighting near Soldatskie Uchastki, Ryabenko’s battery moved into firing positions under intense enemy artillery and mortar fire. When the regular gun-layer became a casualty, Ryabenko immediately assumed the role himself and continued combat operations under fire.

His actions contributed directly to:

• Destruction of 1 enemy firing position
• Suppression of enemy resistance
• Support of Soviet offensive operations

For courage, initiative, and steadfastness in battle, he was awarded the Order of Glory 3rd Class, one of the most respected Soviet enlisted bravery awards.

The portrait shows Ryabenko later in life wearing his wartime decorations and campaign medals.

Included:

• Original named Soviet portrait photograph
• Handwritten identification on reverse
• Digital scan of wartime award documentation
• Full research on recipient and service history

A desirable researched Soviet portrait grouping belonging to a decorated artillery veteran and Order of Glory recipient.

Original Soviet military portrait photograph of decorated Red Army officer Captain Petro Mikhailovich Ryabenko (surname slightly difficult but appears to read Ryabenko / Rybchenko).

The reverse carries official military identification, while archival research links the portrait to a documented wartime award recipient.

Research confirms Ryabenko served as: Captain – Commander, 10th Separate Communications Battalion

Born in 1918, Ukrainian, and serving in the Red Army from 1939, he participated in frontline combat operations during the Great Patriotic War.

Award records show that during intense fighting against German forces in July 1943, Captain Ryabenko successfully commanded communications operations between 10–22 July 1943, ensuring uninterrupted radio and communications links under extremely difficult battlefield conditions.

Despite heavy:

• artillery fire
• mortar fire
• aerial bombardment

he maintained reliable communications essential for command coordination and combat effectiveness.

The citation notes that his unit completed all assigned tasks successfully and suffered no losses.

For exemplary leadership and outstanding performance under combat conditions, he was recommended for a state award. The recommendation was upgraded from the Medal for Combat Merit to the Order of the Red Star.

The portrait shows him in early postwar uniform wearing his wartime decorations, including the Order of the Red Star and campaign medals.

Included:

• Original named Soviet military portrait photograph
• Official identification on reverse
• Digital scan of wartime award sheet
• Full recipient research

A highly desirable researched Soviet portrait grouping belonging to a decorated communications officer and wartime Order of the Red Star recipient.

Original Soviet portrait photograph of Engineer-Major Vladimir Pavlovich Pisimorev (Владимир Павлович Писиморев).

The reverse is officially stamped and signed by the personnel department of Military Unit 25580, certifying the identity of the photographed individual in 1969, making this a fully named and documented Soviet portrait.

Research confirms Pisimorev served in the Red Army during the Second World War as a radio operator in a mortar battery of the 725th Rifle Regiment, 27th Rifle Division.

He was awarded the highly respected Medal for Courage (Медаль “За Отвагу”) in July 1944.

According to his wartime award citation, during combat operations near Grumlinki on 26 July 1944, Pisimorev displayed exceptional courage under heavy enemy fire by repairing 12 breaks in communication lines, ensuring uninterrupted communications between divisional headquarters and his battery.

During this action he was seriously wounded in the head and leg.

For his bravery and devotion to duty he was awarded the Medal for Courage, one of the Soviet Union’s most respected decorations for personal battlefield heroism.

The portrait also shows him later in service wearing multiple decorations and campaign medals, reflecting a long military career after WWII, ultimately reaching the rank of Engineer-Major.

A highly attractive researched Soviet grouping, ideal for collectors of Red Army portraits, Soviet awards, and named WWII militaria.

Original wartime / early postwar Soviet portrait photograph depicting Lieutenant Timofei Yakovlevich Tverdokhleb (Тимофей Яковлевич Твердохлеб) in uniform.

A very attractive named portrait showing Tverdokhleb wearing his wartime decorations, including the Order of the Red Star and two campaign medals, identified as:

• Medal for the Defence of the Caucasus
• Medal for Victory over Germany
• Order of the Red Star

The reverse is fully handwritten and identifies him as:

Lieutenant Timofei Yakovlevich Tverdokhleb
Chief of Supply / Economic Service
871st Rifle Regiment
387th Rifle Division

Research confirms Tverdokhleb served from April 1942 onward and participated in combat operations from the Caucasus campaign through to Germany.

He was awarded the Order of the Red Star in July 1945 for distinguished service as a logistics officer. His award citation describes how he repeatedly ensured uninterrupted supply deliveries under heavy combat conditions, often bringing food and essential supplies to frontline troops under enemy fire and in severe terrain.

A notable action mentioned in his award recommendation took place on 26 January 1943, near Samurskaya, where he personally organized and led a supply column through snow, mountainous roads, and enemy shelling to deliver provisions to frontline battalions. His actions ensured the unit remained combat effective.

Excellent display and research item for collectors of Soviet WWII militaria, Red Army portraits, and award-related groupings.