“My father fulfilled his duty as a soldier. The Chinese people remember him, and I should also do something.” In January, 88-year-old Russian elder Ira Shuster spoke emotionally at her home with Nikita Kolkhakov, a member of the Soviet Martyrs Visiting Group from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law and a Russian university student. The daughter of Lev Shuster—a martyr of the Soviet Volunteer Air Force—had previously donated her father’s 87-year-old family letter and more than ten other historical documents to China. Zhongnan University of Economics and Law participated fully in the coordination and communication efforts, serving as an important bridge in preserving historical memory and promoting friendly exchanges between China and Russia. The “Good Night, Wuhan” light show photo brought back by her granddaughter Yelena has become a heartwarming footnote to this friendship.
The story dates back to the Wuhan “April 29” air battle in 1938. Lev Shuster, a 24-year-old member of the Soviet Volunteer Air Force, sacrificed his life in combat. His name is permanently engraved on the monument of Soviet Volunteer Air Force martyrs at Wuhan Liberation Park. Before his final mission, Shuster was unable to bid farewell to his family, leaving only a letter sent from Hankou to his home. His daughter Ira was not yet six months old at the time. This letter became Ira’s only connection to her father. Although several museums in Moscow expressed interest in preserving it, she gently declined: “This is the continuation of my father’s life, my treasure.”
In 2013, theYangtze River Dailylaunched a cross-border reporting project titled “Seeking the Soviet Volunteer Air Force Martyrs.” After more than a decade of searching, they located Ira and her granddaughter Yelena in 2019 and learned of their wish to visit Wuhan to pay respects at the martyr’s grave. In August 2025, through the efforts of journalist Chen Dajun and with coordination and support from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Yelena was invited to Wuhan. She laid flowers at her grandfather’s memorial in Liberation Park. Deeply moved by the grand monument built by China to honor the martyrs and the respect shown by Wuhan citizens, Yelena—following her mother Ira’s wishes—donated the yellowed family letter along with more than ten precious historical items, including Shuster’s wedding photo, Communist Party admission document, and Soviet Red Banner Medal certificate, to Zhongnan University of Economics and Law.
“Seeing that my father’s story can be remembered by more people, this letter has taken on greater value,” Ira conveyed through Nikita to Chinese teachers and students. These artifacts are now displayed in the university’s exhibition hall. The International Education College also organized a themed visit titled “Remembering the Martyrs, Sharing Friendship” for Chinese and international students, allowing young people from different countries to learn about the profound friendship forged between China and Russia during the war years through historical materials.
To further preserve this precious history, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law established the Soviet Martyrs Visiting Group after receiving the donation. The International Education College participated in the group’s formation and cross-border exchange planning, creating a platform for historical exploration and cultural exchange between Chinese and international students.
As the first international student to join the visiting group, Nikita Kolkhakov from Saint Petersburg State University of Economics traveled from Saint Petersburg to Perm on a 26-hour train journey under the coordination of the International Education College. He conveyed gratitude from the university to Ira’s family, marking the group’s first cross-border visit. Nikita, who will soon pursue further studies at the university, had previously studied at the institution as an exchange student in 2023, which gave him common ground with Yelena.
Yelena’s visit to Wuhan left many beautiful memories. She captured the city’s panoramic view from Yellow Crane Tower, experienced the urban pulse on the Optics Valley Sky Train, and was especially impressed by the “Good Night, Wuhan” light show at Hankou Riverside on the evening of August 6. “If I weren’t wearing high heels, I would have walked here until dawn,” Yelena remarked. She treasured the photo of the dazzling night view in her digital album and later shared with her mother Wuhan’s stunning scenery and the solemn atmosphere of the martyr’s cemetery. Ira repeatedly viewed the photos and videos, said that: “It is our honor that my father rests in such a beautiful city. Their stories have not been forgotten.”
Having studied Chinese for four years, Nikita holds a deep appreciation for Chinese culture. “I am grateful to the International Education College for building this bridge of exchange. When I arrive in Wuhan, I will visit Liberation Park to pay tribute to the martyrs. I will also continue to share more stories of Wuhan with Ira and Yelena, ensuring this friendship across time and space continues to thrive,” he said.
From the donation of precious historical materials to the implementation of cross-border visits, from the professional coordination of our college to the active participation of Chinese and international students, historical memories spanning over 80 years have grown more vivid under the joint care of the Chinese and Russian people. This friendship, built on sacrifice and respect, carrying trust and hope, will continue to shine brightly through the ongoing efforts of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, passed down from generation to generation.
