He taught children and defeated the enemy: the story of a native of the village of Svetloe Ozero, who made it to Berlin.

      Vitaly Fedoseevich Akatiev is a man whose life has become an example of selfless service to the Motherland. He went from being a rural teacher to a captain who took Berlin, and after the war, he taught at a university in Volgograd. Gennady Akatiev shared more about the veteran's combat path in his family. Akatiev Vitaly Fedoseevich was born on February 5, 1918, in the village of Svetloe Ozero in the Zainsk district. He had to grow up early: after his father's death in 1933, being the eldest son, he took on the role of father in the family. At the same time, the future hero found time for his studies: he received a pedagogical education in Kazan, after which he returned to his native land and became a teacher in Stary Zainsk. When the Great Patriotic War broke out, Vitaly Akatiev was already serving in the army. He served as a political officer of the reconnaissance platoon of the headquarters battery of the 667th artillery regiment of the 81st rifle division. As a captain, in the position of deputy commander of the division for political affairs of the 823rd artillery regiment of the 301st rifle division, Vitaly Fedoseevich witnessed the Great Victory in Berlin. For his good service and feats, he received numerous awards: the medals "For Combat Merits," "For the Defense of the Caucasus," "For Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945," "For the Liberation of Warsaw," "For the Capture of Berlin," "For Combat Merits," as well as the Orders of the Patriotic War I and II class, the Red Banner, and the Red Star.

      After the war, Akatiev retired with the rank of colonel and returned to teaching – this time at a higher educational institution in Volgograd, where he became a candidate of economic sciences. Vitaly Fedoseevich passed away in 1990 at the age of 72. He is buried in Volgograd.

      Photo by the author

      Roza Ilaltdinova

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      He taught children and defeated the enemy: the story of a native of the village of Svetloe Ozero who reached Berlin. Vitaly Fedoseevich Akatiev is a man whose life has become an example of selfless service to the Motherland. He went from being a rural teacher to a captain who took Berlin, and after the war, he taught at a university in Volgograd. 14:13 09.05.2026 News of Zainsk - Zainsk

      He taught children and defeated the enemy: the story of a native of the village of Svetloe Ozero who reached Berlin. Vitaly Fedoseevich Akatiev is a man whose life has become an example of selfless service to the Motherland. He went from being a rural teacher to a captain who took Berlin, and after the war, he taught at a university in Volgograd. 12:17 09.05.2026 Zainsk-Inform - Zainsk

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