World War II veteran Evgeny Ivanovich Makarov celebrated his 100th birthday.

      October 27, 2025 16:21 Society

      A participant of the Great Patriotic War and an honorary veteran of Nizhny Novgorod, Yevgeny Ivanovich Makarov, celebrated his 100th birthday. The solemn congratulation took place with the participation of representatives of the administration of the Sovetsky District of Nizhny Novgorod and the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, as well as activists from the regional and local branches of the United Russia party. The centenarian was presented with a grocery hamper and other valuable gifts.

      "To congratulate our respected veterans on their birthday is a great honor and our good tradition. Standing next to them you understand what extraordinary people they are. Dear Yevgeny Ivanovich! I wholeheartedly congratulate you on your 100th anniversary! This is living history, a whole century of life that included both peaceful labor and the turmoil of war. We bow deeply to you and the entire generation of victors for our freedom and independence. You will always serve as a moral guide for us, and the memories you generously share help us preserve memory and not lose the truth about the Great Patriotic War. We wish you good health, cheerfulness of spirit, warmth, care, and many more happy days," congratulated the celebrant Yuri Balashov, a deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and secretary of the United Russia local branch in the Sovetsky District.

      The veteran's combat service began at age 17. Yevgeny Ivanovich served as a radio operator in infantry units and took part in the liberation of Smolensk and Yelnya. In the summer of 1944, as part of the 2nd Belorussian Front, he took part in the famed Operation Bagration. In June 1944, despite being wounded, he continued to maintain radio communications with headquarters, for which he was awarded the Order of Glory, 3rd class. Later the veteran helped liberate Belarus and Poland; he celebrated Victory in Berlin. After the war he served until 1951 with the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany. He then returned to Gorky, where until his retirement he worked at one of the city's defense enterprises.

      "Yevgeny Ivanovich serves as a true example of courage and resilience for us, embodying the best qualities of the generation of victors. Today his priceless life experience becomes a moral compass for the younger generation, a connecting thread between the heroic past and the future of our Motherland. His feat and selfless work are a source of pride for all residents of the district and for the people of Nizhny Novgorod. It should also be noted that Yevgeny Ivanovich generously shares his wisdom: at meetings with schoolchildren and during walks with the youngsters he speaks about his life vividly and interestingly. I wish him robust health, inexhaustible vigor, and many more years of remaining as cheerful, inspiring us by his example," emphasized Alexander Ivanov, head of the Sovetsky District of Nizhny Novgorod.

      "Veterans of the Great Patriotic War will always be an example of unbendable courage and true love for the Motherland. The sacrifice made by this generation for the freedom of our country is invaluable. To have the opportunity today to congratulate Yevgeny Ivanovich on his centenary is a great honor for us!" noted Artyom Rybakov, first deputy head of the regional executive committee of the United Russia party.

      Yevgeny Ivanovich Makarov has been awarded the Order of the Red Star, the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd class, and many medals, including the Zhukov Medal, the "For the Capture of Königsberg" medal, and the "For the Victory over Germany" medal.

      The veteran thanked the guests for their attention and gifts: "Today I have a real celebration! It is very pleasant to receive so many guests! In return I will share the secret of longevity that everyone asks me about — it is simple: always have an active life position and avoid bad habits."

      At the end of the celebratory visit the guests wished Yevgeny Ivanovich good health and well-being.

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