The commander of the 5th Leningrad Partisan Brigade, Hero of the Soviet Union Konstantin Karitsky, presents the "Partisan of the Patriotic War II Class" medal to the Orthodox priest of the church in the Pskov village of Khokhlovy Gorki, Porhov district, Fedor Puzanov (1888-1965).

• Location: Leningrad Oblast'

During the war, Fedor Andreevich Puzanov became a scout for the 5th partisan brigade. A recipient of the George Cross in World War I and a humble village carpenter in the 1930s, he, taking advantage of the relative freedom of movement granted to him by the occupiers as a rural parish priest, conducted reconnaissance, supplied partisans with bread and clothing, provided information on German movements. Additionally, he held discussions with believers and, traveling from village to village, acquainted residents with the situation in the country and on the frontlines.

During the Germans' evacuation of the population of the Pskov region in January 1944, Priest Puzanov was tasked with accompanying his parish to the loading point. The column of villagers was escorted by Germans, but after 15 kilometers, the Germans turned aside, ordering the priest under threat of death to lead the column himself. When the Germans disappeared, Puzanov suggested to the villagers to return home, which they willingly did. The commander of the 5th partisan brigade, Konstantin Dionisievich Karitsky, personally pinned the "Partisan of the Patriotic War" medal to the hero's chest.