Nikolai Rubykh

Nikolay Ryabykh was born in 1910 in the village of Podkolki (now the Buzuluk district of the Orenburg region). After finishing six grades of school, he worked on a collective farm. In 1937 - 1939 he served in the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army, graduated from the school of summer camps. In July 1941, Ryabykh was again drafted into the army. He graduated from junior lieutenant courses.[1]

By September 1943, Senior Lieutenant Ryabykh commanded a company of the 705th Infantry Regiment of the 121st Infantry Division of the 30th Infantry Corps of the 60th Army of the Central Front. He distinguished himself during the battle of the Dnieper. On September 27, 1943, the Ryabykh company crossed the Dnieper in the vicinity of the village of Yasnogorodka, Vyshgorod district, Kiev region of the Ukrainian SSR, and took an active part in the battles for the seizure and retention of the bridgehead. On October 6, the company crossed the Dnieper for the second time, this time in the area of the village of Kozarovichi.[1]

By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of October 17, 1943, for “successfully crossing the Dnieper River north of Kiev, firmly securing the bridgehead on the western bank of the Dnieper River and showing courage and heroism”, Senior Lieutenant Nikolai Ryabykh was awarded the high rank of Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin and the gold star medal.[1]