A porcelain vase featuring a portrait of Vitaly Zakrutkin was a gift from his wartime friend V.I. Vygovsky for the writer’s 70th birthday. The front of the vase displays a portrait of young Zakrutkin, as his friend remembered him during their time on the Caucasian Front.

The vase was custom-made at a porcelain factory in the city of Zhitomir. It features delicate lace handles and is adorned with gilding. There is a dedication on the back. Within the Zakrutkin family, it was referred to as the “Tsar vase”.

“Such vases were made at the factory for members of the government, including Brezhnev, Shcherbitsky, Suslov, and others. I believed that Vitaly Aleksandrovich Zakrutkin was even more deserving of such a gift — this truly magnificent vase,” said Vygovsky.

Vitaly Zakrutkin gratefully accepted this gift from his wartime friend. Together, they endured the most challenging days of retreats through mountain passes and celebrated the victorious months of battles near Tuapse and Novorossiysk, Goryachy Klyuch, and Krasnodar. Both were awarded the medal “For the Defense of the Caucasus”. This medal was often examined with curiosity by Zakrutkin’s nephews, grandchildren, and schoolchildren who visited his home during his lifetime. For Vitaly Zakrutkin’s anniversary, his fellow soldier sent a heartfelt greeting,