Soviet Soldier Throwing RGD-33 Grenade in Close Combat — Eastern Front, 1943

July 24, 2025 - Reading time: 6 minutes

Soviet soldier throwing an RGD-33 grenade in close combat against Wehrmacht forces during 1943 on the Eastern Front. A moment captured by Dmitry Baltermants.

This iconic photograph shows a Soviet soldier in the midst of a brutal close combat with Wehrmacht forces on the Soviet-German front in 1943. The soldier is seen throwing an RGD-33 grenade, one of the most widely used hand grenades by the Red Army during World War II. Known for its high explosive content, the RGD-33 was designed for maximum damage in trench and urban combat, making it an essential tool for the Soviet infantry.

The photo, taken by Dmitry Baltermants for the Izvestia newspaper, captures the ferocity and determination of the Soviet forces during one of the most intense periods of the war. Close combat on the Eastern Front was common, with soldiers often fighting at extremely close ranges, as seen in this powerful image.

The RGD-33 grenade was designed to be more reliable and effective than its predecessor, the RGD-27, and became one of the key weapons in the Soviet soldier's arsenal. This image is a testament to the bravery of the Red Army soldiers who fought in some of the most brutal conditions of WWII.

Technical photo data:
📝 Source of information: Dmitry Baltermants, Izvestia
📍 Location: USSR
📅 Date of photo: 1943
📷 Photographer: Dmitry Baltermants

• Soviet soldier close combat

• RGD-33 grenade

• Eastern Front WWII

• Wehrmacht combat

• Soviet-German front

• Red Army infantry

• WWII grenades

• Izvestia newspaper

• Soviet grenades WWII

• Close combat tactics WWII

• Dmitry Baltermants photography