«Young guard» an underground anti-fascist Komsomol organization, which operated during World War II, mostly in the city of Krasnodon of Luhansk (Voroshilovgrad) region (Ukrainian SSR). The youngest participant of underground was 14 years old.

The organization was founded shortly after the German occupation Krasnodon (occupation began July 20, 1942). "Young guard" had about 110 people - boys and girls. Members of the organization called the young guardians.

At the end of September 1942 youth underground groups united in the «Young guard», the name was suggested by Sergei Tulenin. Ivan Turkenich became the commander of the organization.

The activities of the «Young guard» «Young guard» released and distributed over 5000 leaflets, its members have participated, along with underground communists in carrying out acts of sabotage in the electro-mechanical workshops, staged a burning building labor exchanges, where he kept lists of people that are intended for export to Germany, thus about 2000 people were saved from theft to Germany. Young guardians were preparing to organize an armed uprising in Krasnodon to break the German garrison and to join the advancing units of the Soviet Army. However, shortly before the planned organization of the uprising it was uncovered.

Only eight members of the «Young guard» survived the Great Patriotic War: Arutyunyants George served in the Armed Forces, died April 26, 1973; Bortz Valeria served in the Armed Forces as interpreter, died on January 14, 1996; Ivantsova Nina she worked in the Komsomol and party staff, died on January 1, 1982; Ivantsova Olga she worked in the trade, died June 16, 2001; Levashov Vasily served in the Navy in the political and educational work, died on July 10, 2001; Lopukhov Anatoly served in the Armed Forces as the political worker, died October 5, 1990; Shyshchenko Michael worked in administrative positions in the coal mining industry, died May 5, 1979; Radiy Yurkin served in the air forces, then worked in enterprises of Krasnodon, died July 16, 1975.

Fate of young guardians 15, 16 and 31 January 1943 the occupants part of alive, part of the killed were thrown into the pit of the mine number people, among whom were both the young guardians and members of the underground party organization. February 9 in Rovenky in the woods (named "Fulminating") had been shot by Oleg Koshevoy, Lyubov Shevtsova, Simon Ostapenko, Dmitri Ogurcov, Victor Subbotin, another four people were shot in other areas. All of the young guardians tortured and humiliated before his death

Awarded Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on September 13, 1943: Ulyana Gromova, Ivan Zemnukhova, Oleg Koshevoy, Sergey Tyulenin, Lyubov Shevtsova was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. Subsequently, on May 5, 1990, this title was conferred as the commander of the underground organization Ivan Turkenich. Ulyana Gromova Ivan Zemnukhova Lyubov Shevtsova Oleg Koshevoy

3 members of «Young Guards» were awarded the Order of the Red Flag, the 35 Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class, 6 Order of Red Star, 66 Medal «Partisan of the Patriotic War» first degree. Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on December 13, 1960 V.I. Tretyakevich posthumously awarded the Order of Patriotic War I stair.

Prepared by: 10-А form Ivahina Kseniya