Portrait of Ivan Bykov, Commander of the “For Leningrad” Partisan Detachment, 1943

August 15, 2025 - Reading time: 4 minutes

Ivan Bykov, commander of the “For Leningrad” partisan detachment, led successful sabotage operations against German forces in 1943.

Portrait of Senior Sergeant Ivan Kuzmich Bykov, commander of the “For Leningrad” partisan detachment, captured in Leningrad Oblast, USSR, 1943.

This portrait depicts Senior Sergeant Ivan Kuzmich Bykov (b. 1912), commander of the “For Leningrad” partisan detachment of the 3rd Partisan Brigade, captured in 1943 in Leningrad Oblast. Bykov, a veteran of the Finnish campaign and former military instructor at Volyshovskaya Secondary School, Pskov region, founded his partisan detachment on July 14, 1942.

Under his leadership, the unit grew from 18 to 257 fighters and conducted sabotage operations against German railway and road communications, destroying enemy equipment, personnel, and collaborators. Bykov’s detachment derailed eight enemy trains, significantly disrupting German supply lines and operations in the region. For exemplary execution of combat missions and demonstrated courage, Ivan Bykov was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class, on June 22, 1943.

This portrait captures the resolute expression of a man who became a symbol of Soviet partisan resistance, reflecting the determination, bravery, and tactical skill required to wage a successful guerrilla campaign behind enemy lines.

Technical photo data:
📝 Source of information: pamyat-naroda.ru
📍 Location: Leningrad Oblast, USSR
📅 Date of photo: 1943
📷 Photographer: Mikhail Trakhman