10-year-old Fydor reportedly saved two girls from "Ukrainian saboteurs" after he was shot and injured by a bullet in the village of Lyubechane in Bryansk. Flyers with Fyodor's image and the label "hero" have been posted throughout Bryansk. Governor Alexander Bogomaz awarded Fyodor the "For Valor and Courage" medal, TASS reported on March 3.
Russian officials claim that 10-year-old Fydor was in the car that came under fire from "Ukrainian saboteurs" in the village of Lyubechane on March 2. He reportedly saved two girls after he was injured by a bullet.
According to Governor Bogomaz, Fyodor underwent a surgery that lasted for hours to remove the bullet. The boy was then transferred from the intensive care unit to a regular room. The governor stated that Fyodor's two older brothers were fighting in Ukraine, and that the youngest "followed their example."
Leaflets with Fyodor's image and the caption "hero" were posted around Bryansk. Governor Bogomaz ordered that the "hero" be awarded the Medal of Courage. He also published a poem written by a local resident about the satanic enemy and "the gift from God" - Fyodor. The head of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Alexander Bastrykin, awarded Fyodor the Medal of Valor and Courage. Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Vladimir Putin "admired" Fyodor's act.
The governor reported the attack on the Bryansk region on March 2. The Russian Volunteer Corps, fighting for Ukraine, claimed responsibility for the sabotage. According to the Russian side, two people were killed and two others were injured. An anonymous RVC fighter told "Important Stories" that he did not see any injured children there. The Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case following the attack in the Bryansk region under laws on terrorism, attempted murder of law enforcement officers, and destruction of property. Ukraine denied its involvement in the "sabotage."
In May 2022, a boy named Alyosha from Belgorod became a symbol of war propaganda. Local Telegram channels published a video of the child in uniform greeting military vehicles passing by their house. Soon, the Russian Ministry of Defense posted a postcard on its Telegram channel: "Thank you, Alyosha." It showed a picture of the boy greeting a tank.
Alyosha's image was used on patriotic posters and banners. Belgorod Oblast governor Vyacheslav Gladkov presented "Alyoshka" chocolate with the image of the child to Vladimir Putin.
