On the participation of the State Archives of the Gomel Region in the presentation of the book «Vitaly Bukaty’s Diary»

On November 27, 2025, Yuri Shestopalov, Director of the State Archives of the Gomel Region, and Maya Vashchenko, Senior Researcher, took part in the presentation of the book «Vitaly Bukaty’s Diary», which took place at the Lenin Gomel Regional Library.

Vitaly Bukaty is known as the artist of the sharp satirical posters «Crush the Fascist Vermin!»

The young artist’s talent did not go unnoticed. Poster newspapers about the defeat of the Nazi scum began to be published regularly. New issues were eagerly awaited both at the front and in the rear. In the hands of Vitaly Bukaty, his sharp pen of satire became a weapon against the Nazi occupiers. Vitaly demonstrated his talent not only as a cartoonist but also as a master of literary expression. His diary, which Vitaly began in the first days of the war, describes not only military events but also the thoughts, feelings, experiences, and hopes of a young man for a bright future – a swift victory over fascism. After completing a mine-detection course in Moscow, Vitaly was sent to a partisan detachment. In 1943, while serving as a partisan commander on a combat mission, Vitaly Bukaty was killed during a military operation in the Chechersk district. He was only 20 years old.

The book’s editor, Sergei Shevchenko, knew Vitaly Bukaty’s family well. Vitaly’s diaries, published by Sergei Shevchenko, are another contribution to the literary treasure trove of stories about the unparalleled courage and heroism of talented Soviet youth who gave their lives in the fight against the fascist death machine.

1. Presentation of S.Shevchenko’s book «The Diary of Vitaly Bukaty»

2. Speech by S.Shevchenko

3. Satirical newspaper posters «Crush the fascist vermin!»

4. S.Shevchenko signs his autograph on the book «The Diary of Vitaly Bukaty»

5. Participants of the event