Konstantin Kabanov

In 1944, Kabanov graduated from the Balashov Military Pilots Flying School. He also joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union around this time. In June 1944, he was sent to the front and became an Il-2 pilot in the 332nd Assault Aviation Division's 593rd Attack Aviation Regiment.^[2] During the summer, Kabanov fought in Operation Bagration.^[1] On 25 July, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.^[3]

During the fall, he flew sorties during the Baltic Offensive. On 16 September 1944, he was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class.^[4] In February 1945, he fought in the East Pomeranian Offensive. Kabanov reportedly led his flight of Il-2s in attack on Danzig in 27 sorties. On 30 March, he was awarded a second Order of the Red Banner.^[5] In April, he fought in the Berlin Offensive. Kabanov received the Order of the Patriotic War 1st class on 30 April.^[6] By the end of the war, he had reportedly made 103 sorties, destroyed 158 vehicles, 11 tanks, 6 artillery pieces, 27 anti-aircraft batteries, 9 warehouses, a railway train. Kabanov's sorties were reported to have killed a thousand German military personnel. On 18 August, Kabanov was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin for his actions.^[1][7][2]

Postwar, Kabanov continued to serve in the Soviet Air Force. In 1953, he graduated from the Air Force Academy. He was a test pilot with the Air Force Research Institute for the next two years. Between 1955 and 1965 he was assistant chief engineer with the institute. Abanov retired in 1978 with the rank of Colonel. He lived in Moscow and died on 13 April 1979. He was buried in the Khovanskoye Cemetery.^[1][2]