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War hero born when Nicholas II ruled Russia casts his vote in elections

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15 September 2014

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Mikhail Kulikov, born in 1912, hero of WWII. Picture: Tyumen-Time TV

Mikhail Kulikov was aged five when during the 1917 Russian Revolution, but he showed his is still looking to the future by wanting to take part in the latest elections for new governors in Russia. 

'The veteran came to the polling station accompanied by his son," explained a member of the local election commission. 'He joked and was full of energy and vigour. We thought that the old man was no more than 80 years old. 

'However, we were shocked, when we saw his birth date in his passport - he was born in 1912.'

Evidently, he was offered assistance in completing his vote but insisted on doing it himself. 

'We felt a kind of a shock. In front of us, we saw an old man who was born in pre-revolutionary Russia, fought during the Great Patriotic War (World War II) and has kept his vigour,' the official told Itar-Tass.

Kulikov comes from the village of Fedotovskoye in the Kirov Region in the Urals. He was born into a peasant family with eight children. After leaving school, he enrolled at the math department of the pedagogical institute in the Siberian city of Tomsk.

He was sent to a military school when the 1941-1945 war broke out against Nazi Germany. Then he was dispatched and was sent to the front serving with the air defence artillery troops.

Mikhail Kulikov - 102 years old paratrooper

Mikhail Kulikov still plays chess as a hobby. Picture: Tyumen-Time TV

As a paratrooper, his first battle against fascists took place near Staraya Russa in north-west Russia. Encircled by Nazi forces but managed to break through the encirclement, carrying heavy machine guns with them.

During the Great Patriotic War, Kulikov also fought in Romania, Czechoslovakia, Austria and Germany. He was awarded with the 2nd degree Order of the Patriotic War and the Medal for the Victory over Germany.

After the war, he worked as a mathematics teacher, and later headed a school in Tyumen. He still plays chess as a hobby. 

As for the elections, they produced no upsets across Siberia. The results will be seen as a vote of confidence in United Russia party and President Vladimir Putin. 

Comments (3)

Mikhail is living testament to Russian history. Someone should write his biography. Best wishes and continued good health to Mikhail Kulikov.



Steven, Scotland.
Steven Graham, Glasgow, Scotland.
16/09/2014 15:41
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Congratulations Mikhail on such a truthful account of your life.

I agree with his comment about the the elections and also your confidence in a United Russia and especially about President Vladimir Putin. I have had the greatest of confidence in this 'giant' of a man, he truly has a heart for his people.

Sometimes I regret my parents did not move to Siberia - such a wonderful material free life.

Mikhail, may you live a long and and healthy life so that you may instil into the younger generations the wisdom you have been given.

God bless you.

Valentyna
Valentyna Illyvna, Perth, Scotland
16/09/2014 11:04
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First let me congratulate Mikhail on such a long life. The ural area of Russia has produced so many centenarians
I can remember a story of a 102 yr old son walking miles to vist his sick father ,this was in the same region.
There is also a place in Italy where longevity is the norm , Scientist have put this down to a high green salad diet with olive oil, but this definitely doesn't fit with the diet of the Ural siiberians who would have a contrasting diet ,
These two area have one thing in common , There is no stress for materialism they just live to enjoy the simple pleasures of life , Patrick .
Patrick Travers, Perth Australia
16/09/2014 07:33
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