Some of you are probably wondering what the fuck this is. What you're looking at is the memorial for Private Mikhail Panikakha, a Russian soldier of the 193rd Infantry Div. who did some hardcore shit during the Battle of Stalingrad.
On October 2, 1942, troops from the 24th Panzer and 71st Infantry Division launched an attack on the Red October Factory sector near the Volga.
Panikakha was helping to repel the attacks when the Germans troops sent in tanks. He had already thrown his anti tank grenades and expanded most of his ammo. Only thing he had left were two Molotov cocktails.
As he went to light the first Molotov, a bullet struck the bottle, causing the flaming liquid to burst all over him. Despite being engulfed in flames, Panikakha picked up the other Molotov, ran towards the tank (while still on fire) climbed on top of it, smashing the bottle on the engine compartment and disabling the armored beast.
Witnessing the sheer rampage of a Russian running around on fire destroying tanks, the rest of the assault force retreated.
Panikakha, succumbing to his wounds, was recommended for a Hero of the Soviet Union award by his regimental commander in November, but was not awarded the title until 5 May 1990, along with the Order of Lenin.
In 1975, the monument was erected at the site of his death. #stillhardcore #happyhour #tankslayer #zerofoxtrot #stayzero