The monument K.S.Zaslonov

During the Great Patriotic War, Konstantin Sergeyevich Zaslonov became one of the key figures in the partisan resistance in Belarus. As the commander of a partisan detachment and brigade, he led all partisan forces in the Orsha zone from 1942, inflicting significant damage on German troops.

Early Years and the Beginning of the Struggle

Konstantin Sergeyevich was born on January 7, 1910, in the town of Ostashkov, Tver Province, into a working-class family. In 1930, he graduated from the Velikiye Luki Railway Vocational School. At the start of the war, he was evacuated to Moscow, where he worked at the Ilyich depot, but soon voluntarily went behind enemy lines. On October 1, 1941, he led a detachment of 40 men across the front line and arrived in Orsha, where he launched active sabotage operations.

Partisan Sabotage and the Fight Against the Enemy

In Orsha, Zaslonov organized an underground group that, within three months, caused about 100 train derailments and destroyed 93 German locomotives using "coal mines"—explosive devices disguised as pieces of coal. The Germans began an intensive search for the saboteur, and in March 1942, he was forced to leave the city.

Formation of the Partisan Detachment "Uncle Kostya"

Together with a group of underground fighters, he established a partisan detachment operating in the areas of Vitebsk, Orsha, and Smolensk. His unit successfully destroyed enemy troops and equipment, continuing to disrupt German communications. In partisan circles, Zaslonov was known by the pseudonym "Uncle Kostya."

Last Battle and Heroic Deed

On November 14, 1942, in the area of the village of Kupovat, Orsha District, Vitebsk Region, Zaslonov died heroically in battle against a punitive detachment. The German authorities put a large bounty on his head, but local residents hid his body and later buried him alongside other partisans. After the war, his remains were reburied at the Orsha railway station.

Legacy of the Hero

On March 7, 1943, Konstantin Sergeyevich Zaslonov was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. His name remains in history as a symbol of courage, bravery, and unwavering struggle for the freedom of Belarus. Today, his heroic deeds are commemorated in monuments, museums, and street names.