Nikolai Ivanovich
Polagushin
1923-1999
In Zelenograd there is a street named after Nikolai Ivanovich Polagushin. He was a legendary military pilot who received his country’s highest award – the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. He was born on 7 March 1923 in Tashkent. After finishing seven-year school, he was mobilised into the Red Army right at the start of the war, in June 1941. A year later, in 1942, he earned his pilot’s diploma at the Chkalov Military Aviation School (now in the city of Orenburg). From September of that same year, Lieutenant Polagushin began combat missions in the famous Il‑2 ground‑attack aircraft; he was wounded three times but each time returned to duty. He fought on two major fronts – the Leningrad Front and the 3rd Belorussian Front. His record includes the defence of besieged Leningrad and participation in breaking the blockade, heavy fighting on the Karelian Isthmus, the liberation of Vyborg and Estonian cities, and then the offensive in East Prussia and the final assault on Königsberg (now Kaliningrad). By early 1945, with the rank of Guards Captain, he commanded a squadron in the 15th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment (which was part of the 277th Division of the 1st Air Army). At that time he had 214 successful sorties to his name, destroying enemy equipment and infantry. Over the entire war he took his Il‑2 into the skies 259 times – each flight involved immense risk, but Polagushin invariably returned and inflicted serious damage on the enemy. By a decree of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 19 April 1945, the brave squadron commander was awarded the honorary title of Hero, receiving the Order of Lenin and Gold Star medal No. 6120. When the war ended, Polagushin did not leave the armed forces. He continued his military service, in 1949 completing the Higher Flight‑Tactical Courses, and in 1955 graduating from the Air Force Academy. In 1958, holding the rank of colonel, he was placed in reserve and returned to his native Tashkent. There the former pilot took a job at an electronics plant: he started as a simple fitter, but soon, on the recommendation of the director Severian Papava, he took over as head of the personnel department. In October 1966 his life changed dramatically – he moved to Zelenograd near Moscow, where until his retirement he headed the personnel department at the Research Institute of Molecular Electronics, while also actively participating in public affairs. Nikolai Ivanovich’s merits are marked not only by the Hero’s Gold Star. Among his awards are four Orders of the Red Banner, the Orders of Alexander Nevsky, the Order of the Patriotic War 1st and 2nd classes, the Order of the Red Star, and numerous campaign medals. Today the memory of this distinguished ace lives on in the name of one of Zelenograd’s streets. This is not merely a toponym – it is a tribute to a man whose military valour and many years of labour have forever linked his name with the history of our city and of the entire country.
Address: Moscow, Zelenograd, building 403
