When families started arriving to Srostki from ‘mainland Russia’, they were given land on the outskirts of the village. Those who had been living in Srostki longer took the best land plots. Locals humorously referred to the newcomer settlements with derogatory nicknames, ridiculing their location or social status, such as Golozhopka, Krayushki, Mandyurino, Mordva, and Nizovka. The first such settlement — Baklan — was known for its independent spirit and treated others with a sense of superiority.

We left immediately on horseback. The cavalry regiment was formed in the village of Maloyeniseisky. There, we received horse training and were sent to the front. On the way to Moscow, we experienced our first air raid. After getting out of the trains, we went straight into battle. After the first battle, we were sent to Bryansk and then Stalingrad.