Vasily Zaitsev (sniper)

Vasily Grigoryevich Zaitsev
Zaitsev in 1943
Native name
Василий Григорьевич Зайцев
Born(1915-03-23)23 March 1915
Yeleninskoye, Orenburg Governorate, Russian Empire
Died15 December 1991(1991-12-15) (aged 76)
Kiev, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
Buried
Mamayev Kurgan, Volgograd, Russia (from 2006)
Allegiance Soviet Union
Years of service1937–1945
RankCaptain
Battles / wars
AwardsSee list

Vasily Grigoryevich Zaitsev (Russian: Васи́лий Григо́рьевич За́йцев, IPA: [vɐˈsʲilʲɪj ɡrʲɪˈɡorʲjɪvʲɪdʑ ˈzajtsɨf]; 23 March 1915 – 15 December 1991) was a Soviet sniper during World War II.

Between 22 September 1942 and 19 October 1942, he killed 40 enemy soldiers.[1] Between 10 October 1942 and 17 December 1942, during the Battle of Stalingrad, he killed 225 enemy soldiers.[2]

Zaitsev became a celebrated figure during the war and later a Hero of the Soviet Union, and he remains lauded for his skills as a sniper. His life and military career have been the subject of several books and films: his exploits, as detailed in William Craig's 1973 book Enemy at the Gates: The Battle for Stalingrad, served as the story for the 2001 film Enemy at the Gates, with Jude Law portraying Zaitsev. He is also featured in David L. Robbins's 1999 historical novel War of the Rats.

  1. ^ "Medal "For Courage" award list, page 62". Pamyat Naroda (in Russian).
  2. ^ "Hero of the Soviet Union award list". Pamyat Naroda (in Russian).