 He entered the army as a volunteer after the attack by Nazi Germany on Soviet Union.He fought in the Battle of Stalingrad as a member of the 1034th Rifle Regiment of the 293rd Rifle Division, which was renamed as the 66th Guards Rifle Division on Jan. 21, 1943.He later fought in the Battle of Kursk and battles on the Dniepr River, where he was wounded and later demobilised.