100-year-old Armenian veteran recounts WWII story as last survivor of his platoon
Volodya Gspoyan, an Armenian World War II veteran, has recounted his military experience and reflected on being the last living member of his platoon ahead of Victory Day on May 9.
He spoke from Yerevan on Saturday. Gspoyan was drafted into the war at the age of 18 and was first sent to Mozhaisk in the Moscow region. He later joined the 89th Taman Rifle Division, where he rose to become a reconnaissance platoon commander.
The 100-year-old showed his military awards and documents from his time in the Red Army. Serving under Soviet military leader Georgy Zhukov, Gspoyan carried out reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines to collect intelligence. During the Battle of Berlin, he sustained serious injuries from shell fragments to his back.
Doctors removed two fragments but left two near his spine due to the risk of damaging nerve endings. He marked Victory Day in the hospital.
After the war, Gspoyan remained in the military until 1951. His service earned him several honours, including the Order of the Patriotic War II degree, the Medal "For Bravery", and personal recognition from Joseph Stalin for his role in the Battle of Berlin.
Gspoyan is now the last living veteran of the 89th Taman Division. On May 9, 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of Victory, Russian President Vladimir Putin personally congratulated Armenian veterans after the parade on Red Square.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
