Abdulkhakim Ismailov

Abdulkhakim Isakovich Ismailov (Russian: Абдулхаким Исакович Исмаилов, Kumyk: Абдулгьаким Исакъны уланы Исмайиланы, romanized: Abdulhakim İsaqnı ulanı İsmayilanı; 1 July 1916 – 17 February 2010) was a soldier in the Red Army during World War II. He was photographed by Yevgeny Khaldei raising the flag of the Soviet Union over the Reichstag in Berlin on 2 May 1945, days before Nazi Germany's surrender.^[1][2]

Abdulkhakim Ismailov, a native of Dagestan of the Kumyk ethnicity, was severely wounded five times during World War II, including the Battle of Stalingrad, but constantly returned to the frontline.^[1] According to his own words, he was born in Aksay village, not in Chagar otar, as stated officially.

The iconic photograph Raising a Flag over the Reichstag has been compared to the picture of American Marines raising the US flag on Iwo Jima in the Pacific theater.^[1] Photographer Yevgeny Khaldei recruited three Soviet soldiers for the picture – Aleksei Kovalyev, a teenager, held the flag over the Reichstag, while Ismailov and Aleksei Goryachev also appeared hoisting the flag in the photograph.^[1] Ismailov's role in the photograph remained unknown until Kovalyev identified Ismailov in a 1995 television documentary.^[1] Ismailov was honored as a Hero of Russia in 1996.^[1]

In that image, Ismailov was shown as wearing two watches, which could imply he had looted at least one of them. To cover that embarrassing detail, the photo was edited.^[3][4]

Abdulkhakim Ismailov died in his native village of Chagar-Otar, Khasavyurtovsky District, Dagestan, Russia, on 17 February 2010, at the age of 93.^[1]

• Raqymjan Qoshqarbaev, a Kazakh Soviet soldier who raised the first Soviet flag in the Reichstag
• List of Heroes of the Russian Federation