The FSB has published documents dedicated to the 115th anniversary of the birth of Lieutenant General Zhuravlev.

The FSB of Russia has published archival materials about Lieutenant General Mikhail Zhuravlev, who at the age of 29 headed the Directorate of the NKVD of Moscow and the Moscow Region and supervised the security of the capital during the German offensive on Moscow. September 11 marks the 115th anniversary of Zhuravlev's birth.

The documents published by the FSB include photographs, memos, orders to organize the defense of Moscow, materials on the creation of a special school, and documents related to Zhuravlev's activities during the Great Patriotic War.

Zhuravlev was born in 1911 in the village of Khrypino, St. Petersburg province. He started his career as a worker at the Krasny Putilovets factory in Leningrad. After working in party and administrative positions in 1938, he was sent to the NKVD of the USSR.

In February 1941, Zhuravlev was appointed head of the Department of the NKVD of Moscow and the Moscow region. In this position, he met the beginning of the Great Patriotic War and led a set of measures to protect the capital. Under Zhuravlev's leadership, Moscow organized the protection of the city from air raids and the elimination of the consequences of the bombing.

One of the tasks was to disguise the central institutions and historical buildings of the capital. To disorient German aviation, false structures were created, including mock-ups of neighborhoods that were supposed to distract attention from real objects. Under Zhuravlev, 87 fighter battalions totaling about 30,000 men were formed in Moscow and the Moscow Region. They participated in the fight against saboteurs, the protection of industrial facilities, railways, power plants and other important structures.

In October 1941, Zhuravlev participated in the organization of guerrilla warfare in the enemy's rear. Under the leadership of the NKVD Directorate, reconnaissance and sabotage groups operated, which attacked the communications of the German troops. Also, a special training school for scouts, subversives and radio operators was established under the Administration of the NKVD of Moscow and the Moscow region. During its work, it has prepared 377 groups for operations behind enemy lines.

Zhuravlev headed the metropolitan Department of the NKVD until 1948. In subsequent years, he held senior positions in the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs and other government agencies. He died in Moscow on April 7, 1976.

For his service, Zhuravlev was awarded the Orders of Lenin, the Red Banner, Kutuzov II degree, the Red Star and other state awards, as well as medals "For the Defense of Moscow", For the victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 and others.

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The Siege of Leningrad began 85 years ago

On the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the beginning of the Yelnya offensive operation, the Russian Ministry of Defense published declassified archival documents in the thematic section of the website. Among the materials were directives from the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command, combat orders from Marshal Georgy Zhukov, and award lists for heroes.