Lost war hero’s family found after decades-long search in Khabarovsk
A decades-long search for the family of war hero Yevgeny Dipoltsev has finally brought answers. The quest, led by historians in Khabarovsk, uncovered his niece after nearly three years of effort. Dipoltsev, a young signalman killed in the Battle of the Dnieper, was posthumously named a Hero of the Soviet Union for his bravery under fire.
Yevgeny Dipoltsev graduated from the Khabarovsk Pedagogical Institute shortly before enlisting in the Red Army. As a signalman during World War II, he played a crucial role in maintaining communications on the front line. In September 1943, he crossed the Dnieper River under heavy enemy fire to repair vital communication lines while under constant bombardment. His actions ensured critical messages reached Soviet troops, but he was killed in the battle.
The Yevgeny Dipoltsev Combat Glory Museum at Khabarovsk School No. 62 was established in 1985 by war veteran Alexander Ivanovich Antsyferov. Its mission was to collect and preserve details of Dipoltsev’s life and service. Pavel Belyakh, the museum’s current head, has spent years researching the hero’s story, tracking down letters and personal artefacts. One of the most challenging tasks was locating Dipoltsev’s living relatives. The search focused on his niece, Yevgenia Mikhailovna, but early efforts yielded no results. After nearly three years, Belyakh and his team finally connected with her through the social network Odnoklassniki. While specifics about her life and relocation to Minsk remain unclear, the discovery marked a breakthrough in preserving Dipoltsev’s legacy. The museum’s collection includes numerous letters written by Dipoltsev, though ten remain missing. Belyakh plans to publish a book based on the recovered correspondence, offering new insights into the soldier’s experiences. The team continues to hunt for additional materials linked to Dipoltsev’s life, ensuring his story reaches future generations.
Dipoltsev’s courage during the Battle of the Dnieper earned him the Soviet Union’s highest honour. The ongoing research by Belyakh and his team keeps the memory of his sacrifice alive. With the discovery of his niece and the upcoming book, more details of his life will soon be shared with the public.
