Nikolai Simoniak

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Nikolai Pavlovich Simoniak (17 February 1901 – April 1956) was a Soviet Army general who served in World War II. Born in Temizhbekskaya to Ukrainian parents, he joined the Red Army in 1918 and fought in the Russian Civil War. He trained as a cavalry officer, served in the cavalry through the 1920s, and studied at the Frunze Military Academy. He fought in the Winter War and later held staff roles in the Leningrad Military District.

During World War II, he commanded the 8th Separate Rifle Brigade at the Hanko base and then the 136th Rifle Division. In 1943 his division became the 63rd Guards Rifle Division, and Simoniak was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for the Iskra operation to relieve Leningrad. He then led the 30th Guards Rifle Corps, taking part in major offensives and earning a promotion to lieutenant general in February 1944. Later he commanded the 3rd Shock Army and the 67th Army, helping to push the Baltic offensives and the end of the war.

After the war, he continued to command the 67th Army until 1948 when he retired due to illness. He died in Leningrad in April 1956.