Filming a Video about the Feat of Ivan Shishunov

The Voen TV broadcasting company filmed a video at Stalin Line about the feat of Ivan Shishunov, marking the 75th anniversary of the great victory over Nazi Germany.

Twenty-year-old Guards Junior Sergeant Ivan Alekseyevich Shishunov performed his heroic feat during street fighting for the town of Várpalota on 21 March 1945.  The company in which he served was halted by heavy machine-gun fire from an enemy position inside a house. Ivan volunteered to destroy the enemy machine gun. He managed to reach the house and, while the Germans were changing the ammunition belt, threw a grenade through the window.

 Taking advantage of the confusion, Shishunov stormed into the house and killed the German troops defending it with his submachine gun. Around 30 enemy soldiers attempted to retake the house. Ivan opened fire with the captured machine gun and held the building, killing 23 German soldiers. The courageous soldier was wounded in the fighting but remained in action.

Our positions were then attacked by seven German tanks and self-propelled guns. At this critical moment in the battle, the wounded Shishunov performed his heroic feat. Taking anti-tank grenades, he crawled towards the leading enemy vehicle. The Guards Junior Sergeant was wounded again but continued towards his target. When Ivan reached the enemy vehicle, he detonated the grenades beneath it, destroying both the vehicle and himself. The remaining enemy tanks turned back. Through his heroic sacrifice, Ivan Shishunov ensured that his battalion accomplished its combat mission and brought the long-awaited Victory Day closer.

Stalin Line staff member Sergei Opeikin played the hero. The Red Army soldiers were portrayed by Stalin Line staff member Andrei Trusov and members of the Soldiers of Victory Military-Historical Club, led by Yuri Perepechin. The Germans were portrayed by Stalin Line staff member Sergei Zakharov and the Motorised Infantry Club, led by Alexei Boiko. Military Academy cadets also took part in the filming on both sides. The explosions were carried out by Guards Junior Sergeant Pyotr Zhabitsky, commander of the second combat engineer squad of Military Unit 52287.

Behind-the-scenes moments from the filming and commemorative photographs.