WWII Veteran and Concentration Camp Survivor Natalia Portnenkova Dies in Orsk
Natalia Portnenkova, a World War II veteran and honorary citizen of the city of Orsk, Russia, has passed away at the age of 98. Her death was announced by the head of Orsk, Artem Vorobyov.
Natalia Nikolayevna was born in 1927 in Belarus. She was a prisoner for two years in the Grajewo concentration camp. After liberation, she added years to her age and enlisted in the 468th Field Bakery of the 220th Orsha Rifle Division.
As part of the 31st Army, she marched through East Prussia and ended the war in Czechoslovakia. After Victory Day, fate brought her to Orsk. There she got married, raised three daughters, worked at a sewing factory for over twenty years, and brought up grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Natalia Nikolayevna was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, the medals «For Labor Valor» and «For Long and Conscientious Labor,» and last year was granted the title of Honorary Citizen of the city of Orsk.
«She was a living embodiment of history, an example of unwavering fortitude and kindness. Her bright soul and feat will forever remain in our memory,» said Artem Vorobyov.
A farewell for Natalia Portnenkova will be held on January 27 at 14:00 in the Cathedral of the Great Martyr George the Victorious (2 Leninsky Komsomol Street).
The editorial board of 56.RU expresses condolences to the family and friends of Natalia Nikolayevna.
Note that this is not the first loss in 2026. Earlier in Orenburg, Sergei Konovalov, a member of the Public Chamber for three convocations, passed away; the well-known artist Evgeny Erokhin died; healthcare system veteran Viktor Yakovlev passed away; and Nikolai Gaistruk, director of the Buguruslan Agricultural College, also died.
