Mikhail Surkov

Mikhail Ilyich Surkov (Russian: Михаил Ильич Сурков; 1921 – 1953) was a Soviet sniper in the 4th Rifle Division of the Red Army during World War II. He was born in a Siberian town of Bol'shay Salyr' next to Krasnoyarsk and hailed from a family of hunters and fur-trappers.^[1]

In this name that follows East Slavic naming customs, the patronymic is Ilyich and the family name is Surkov.

Mikhail Ilyich Surkov
Born	Bol'shay Salyr' 1921
Died	1953 (age 31-32)
Allegiance	Soviet Union
Service / branch	Infantry
Years of service	1941–1946
Rank	Starshina
Battles / wars	World War II
Awards	Order of Lenin Order of the Red Star Medal "For Courage"

According to some Soviet newspapers, Surkov had 702 confirmed kills during World War II,^[1] a total which would make him the most effective sniper of the European conflict.^[2] The top Soviet sniper is officially Ivan Sidorenko, who is credited with 500 confirmed kills, as postwar findings have shown that Surkov's figure very likely only served as propaganda.^[3]