Abdulkhakim Ismailov

Abdulkhakim Isakovich Ismailov (Russian: Абдулхаким Исакович Исмаилов, Kumyk: Абдулгьаким Исакъны уланы Исмайиланы; 1 July 1916 – 17 February 2010) was a soldier in Red Army during World War II. He was photographed by Yevgeny Khaldei raising the flag of the Soviet Union over the Reichstag in Berlin on 2 May 1945, days before Nazi Germany's surrender.[1][2]

Abdulkhakim Isakovich Ismailov
Native name	Абдулхаким Исакович Исмаилов
Born	1 July 1916 Aksay // Chagar-otar, Terek Oblast, Russian Empire
Died	17 February 2010 Chagarotar village, Dagestan, Russian Federation
Allegiance	Soviet Union
Service/branch	Red Army
Years of service	1939–1945
Rank	Sergeant
Battles/wars	Winter War World War II
Awards	Hero of the Russian Federation

Abdulkhakim Ismailov, a native of Dagestan of the Kumyk ethnicity, was severely wounded five times during World War II, including the Battle of Stalingrad, but constantly returned to the frontline.[1] According to his own words, he was born in Aksay village, not in Chagar otar, as stated officially.

The iconic photograph of Raising a flag over the Reichstag has been compared to the picture of American Marines raising the Flag on Iwo Jima in the Pacific theater.[1] Photographer Yevgeny Khaldei recruited three Soviet soldiers for the picture – Aleksei Kovalyev, a teenager, held the flag over the Reichstag, while Ismailov and Aleksei Goryachev also appeared hoisting the flag in the photograph.[1] Ismailov's role in the photograph remained unknown until Kovalyev identified Ismailov in a 1995 television documentary.[1] Ismailov was honored as a Hero of Russia in 1996.[1]

Abdulkhakim Ismailov died in his native village of Chagar-Otar, Khasavyurtovsky District, Dagestan, Russia, on 17 February 2010, at the age of 93.[1]