Iliyas Daudi


Iliyas Daudi is a former Soviet and Russian military serviceman, best known for being one of few distinguished veterans of the Soviet war in Afghanistan who received a Hero of Russian Federation, a highest military title of Russia, roughly equal to Hero of Soviet Union.

Early life

Iliyas Daudi was born in Aznakayevo, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. In 1984 he graduated from a secondary school #2 and after that became a champion of local and federal boxing tournaments who won a title of Candidate for Master of Sport of the USSR.
In the same year he applied to study in Economical Department of Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas and his application process was successful. Nevertheless, being a student of prestigious university he volunteered to military service in Soviet Army.

Military service

In August 1985, after basic military training Daudi was assigned to military reconnaissance unit of 149th Guards Motor Rifle Regiment of Limited Contingent of Soviet forces in Afghanistan.
His military career started from reconnaissance operations in the rank of senior scout, then he took a position of a squad-leader of surveillance section. Soviet Colonel General Alexander Skorodumov wrote in his memories that Iliyas Daudi was not only formal leader, but the informal one too. Moreover, sometimes Daudi faced accusations in not obeying the rules and even hooliganism. Surprisingly, it wasn't an obstacle for him to become a deputy of platoon commander and join a Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
Next year taking part in Soviet assault operation Trap in Herat province he risked his life to save three comrades. That day he was seriously wounded in one of fierce clashes with mujahideen of prominent Afghan leader Ismail Khan. Being assigned to supply his soldiers with ammunition he stepped on Italian antipersonnel mine suffering a severe injury and concussion. According to testimonies of his army friends he asked them to shoot him out to get rid of a burden, but they had managed to evacuate him from the combat zone. In November 1986 he was decommissioned from the Soviet Army after spending long time for rehabilitation in hospital.
Many years later his combat performance was investigated and evaluated as outstanding heroism. In December 2009 by the order of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev he was awarded with a Hero of Russian Federation.

Publications in Russian