Soviet Tank Heroes Posing Before KV-1 Heavy Tank, Western Front, Winter 1942–1943

August 24, 2025 - Reading time: 4 minutes

Heroes of the Soviet Union pose with a KV-1 heavy tank on the Western Front, winter 1942–1943.

Soviet Heroes of the Union Alexander Burda, Frol Stolyarchuk, and Evgeny Luppov pose before a KV-1 heavy tank on the Western Front during winter 1942–1943.

This striking photograph captures three Soviet tank heroes standing proudly before a KV-1 heavy tank (Klim Voroshilov model 1) on the Western Front during the harsh winter of 1942–1943. The men — Heroes of the Soviet Union Alexander F. Burda, Frol E. Stolyarchuk, and Evgeny A. Luppov — exemplify the bravery and resilience of Red Army tank crews during some of the most intense battles of the Great Patriotic War.

The KV-1, a heavily armored breakthrough tank, played a decisive role in countering German armored units in the early years of the war. Its thick armor and powerful 76.2-mm gun made it a formidable opponent against Panzer III and IV tanks, allowing these crews to stand their ground against superior numbers and firepower.

In this photo, the men pose with a sense of pride and determination, symbolizing the human courage behind Soviet armored warfare. The KV-1 itself stands as a testament to Soviet engineering and the indomitable spirit of the tank crews who operated it under freezing, brutal conditions.

This image highlights both the personal heroism of the tankers and the strategic importance of the KV-1 in defending the Soviet Union during a critical phase of World War II.

Technical Photo Data:

📝 Source: Archival materials
📍 Location: USSR
📅 Date: Winter 1942–1943
📷 Photographer: Unknown