They left military veteran Anatoly Borisovich lying in a pool of blood with multiple broken bones in his ransacked flat in Podolsk near Moscow. A social worker found him and he was rushed to hospital but doctors failed to save the Second World War solider and he died later. The pensioner who held back the German menace in the Red Army had refused to tell four young attackers where he had hidden his Soviet wartime medals and life savings, and they beat him into submission.
“They broke his jaw, they kicked his slender, feeble body all around his flat,” said heartbroken niece Olga Korzhenko.
“They smashed his bones, torturing him to confess where he kept his money and medals.
“He tried to defend everything that symbolised the meaning of his life, his medals and orders.
“He was on a battlefield again in 2019.
“Alas, his last battle was not equal and did not bring glory.”
Two men aged 25 and 27 have been detained.
Police are looking for two more alleged attackers, say reports.
A citation for his wartime service on the front where he fought the Germans read: “Comrade Borisovich was a brave defender of the Motherland who brought honour and glory to his country.”
He served in the 317th rifle division and was proud of his achievements, always attending wartime commemorations.
Olga said: “This true hero gave his blood and health many years ago fighting for peace, yet he died not peacefully in bed, as he deserved, but from the cruel blows of those young thugs.”
He briefly regained consciousness in hospital and explained how he was brutally attacked.
Among many valuable Stalin-era medals taken were the Red Star order and another “For Service in Battle”.
Another relative Denis Korzhenko said: “The main thing stolen was the medals won by him in battles.
“There was a lot of money.
“He collected stamps and rare coins, and the medals were taken.”
Police confirmed they are searching pawnshops for the war hero’s honours.