WWII veteran Ivan Gapich died in Kazakhstan at the age of 103.

Ivan Gapich, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War and participant of the 1945 Victory Day Parade on Red Square, died in Kazakhstan at the age of 104. This was announced on August 4 by the Russian House in Uralsk.

"It is with deep regret that we inform you that Ivan Stepanovich Gapich, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War, participant of the 1945 Victory Day Parade on Red Square, holder of the highest title of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Halyk Kakharmany", has passed away. Ivan Stepanovich was 103 years old," the Telegram channel said.

Gapich was born on February 2, 1923 in Akmolinsk. In 1941, he volunteered for the front, served as a signalman. He participated in the liberation of Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Czechoslovakia, and reached Konigsberg.

He was awarded the Orders of Glory of the III degree, the Patriotic War of the II degree, the Red Star and other awards. On June 24, 1945, he took part in the historic Victory Day Parade on Red Square.

After the war, Gapich worked in the Prosecutor's Office of Kazakhstan for more than 20 years and lived in Uralsk. In 2023, he was awarded the highest title of the republic — Halyk Kakharmany ("National Hero"). On the eve of the veteran's 100th birthday, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited him.