Zinaida's sibling: Recent Developments
Zinaida Portnova, a 17-year-old girl with a love for dance and a heart full of compassion, found herself in the midst of war, defending her homeland with extraordinary feats. However, her story remained hidden for over a decade after the Victory.
Born and raised in Leningrad, Zina was a straight-A student and the class monitor, cherished by her peers and teachers alike. She also had a soft spot for the little ones, often putting on puppet theaters to bring joy and laughter to their faces.
Unbeknownst to her close ones, Zina was a partisan, fighting valiantly against the German occupation. Her feats during the war were unforeseen, earning her significant recognition within the partisan detachment.
A letter from the commander expressing gratitude for Zina's efforts and regret for her death arrived three days after her parents found out about her involvement in the partisan detachment. Tragically, Zina was executed by the Germans in January 1944.
Despite the loss, Zina's younger sister, Galina, survived. The specific detail that ensured Galina's survival was that she was not present at the time of Zina's execution. Galina had been evacuated prior to the events that led to Zina's tragic end.
The story of Zina Portnova remained untold for years, until journalist Vladimir Hazansky decided to shine a light on her courageous life and tragic death. His article, titled "This happened near Vitebsk", caused a sensation and led to the verification of information, the discovery of documentary evidence, and living witnesses.
Among those who came forward was Alexandra Kuznetsova-Timonova, who recalled Zina's love for her. Galina Portnova, Zina's sister, also shared her memories, including the address of their house in Leningrad: Baltic, 24.
In a poignant twist, Galina had persuaded the director of the children's home to write a letter to her parents, unaware that it would be her sister's last communication before her untimely demise.
The article brought a long-overdue recognition to Zina Portnova, a young girl who, in the midst of war, showed extraordinary courage and compassion. Her story serves as a reminder of the unsung heroes who fought for freedom during one of history's darkest times.
News of Zinaida Portnova's courageous life and tragic death in the midst of war during the partisan fight was resurfaced in the general news recently, following a series of reports by journalist Vladimir Hazansky. Politics took a different turn as the story of Zina, a 17-year-old dance-loving compassionate girl who defended her homeland, ignited discussions on war-and-conflicts and unsung heroes, resurfacing tales of individual acts of valour during historic struggles.
