Mikhail Surkov

Mikhail Ilyich Surkov (Russian: Михаил Ильич Сурков; 1921 – 1953) was a Soviet sniper in the 4th Rifle Division of the Red Army during World War II. He was born in a Siberian town of Krasnoyarsk and hailed from a family of hunters and fur-trappers.[1]

Mikhail Ilyich Surkov
Born	1921
Died	1953 (age 31-32)
Allegiance	Soviet Union
Service/branch	Infantry
Years of service	1941–1946
Rank	Starshina
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Order of Lenin Order of the Red Star Medal "For Courage"

According to Soviet sources, Surkov had 702 confirmed kills during World War II,[1] a total which would make him the most effective sniper of the European conflict.[2] The top Soviet sniper is officially Ivan Sidorenko, who is credited with 500 confirmed kills, as postwar findings have shown that Surkov's figure very likely only served as propaganda.[3]

References

1. Алексей Илларионович Луковец (1975). Знамена Победы. Pravda. During the war, "Frontovaya Illustratsiya" wrote: "Sniper Sergeant Mikhail Surkov shoots at the enemy confidently and accurately. - He does not wound - he hits the spot. After killing over 700 Fascists, he went on to the next hunt "
2. Mark Spicer and Pat Farey, Sniping: An Illustrated History. Grand Rapids, MI: Zenith, 2009; pg. 129.
3. Sarvaš, Andrej (1 February 2013). "Vedie štatistiku smrti. Fínsky ostreľovač prezývaný Biela smrť". SME (in Slovak). Archived from the original on 7 October 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014. Niektoré zdroje priznávajú Surkovovi viac než 700 zabitých. Povojnové zistenia však ukázali, že tieto údaje s veľkou pravdepodobnosťou slúžili len propagande. Najlepším sovietskym ostreľovačom je preto oficiálne Ivan Sidorenko s 500 potvrdenými „zásahmi“.