Leonid Xrushev, the son of Nikita Khrushchev, is considered one of the most mysterious figures in Soviet history. This was reported by Upl.uz.
His fate is surrounded by numerous rumors, speculations, and conflicting versions. According to official information, he heroically perished in battle against German troops during the Great Patriotic War.
However, unofficial versions suggest different scenarios: collaboration with the enemy, betrayal, or mysteriously disappearing. To this day, none of these speculations have been proven by documents, which has led to debates among historians and society regarding Leonid Xrushev's history.
Leonid Xrushev was born in 1917 and was part of the group known as the "Kremlin lieutenants," composed of the children of high-ranking Soviet officials who held positions in the Kremlin. This group included the sons of Stalin, Mikoyan, Frunze, Beria, and other leaders.
Unlike the modern "golden youth," they did not shy away from military service. Most of them received officer ranks, underwent pilot training, and had combat experience.
Leonid was no exception: he graduated from a pilot school and became a pilot. However, his lifestyle did not always conform to strict military norms.
Like some of his peers, such as Vasiliy Stalin, he led a free life, was popular among women, and did not strive for a serious military career. Leonid's personal life was also colorful.
He was married twice. His first marriage ended in divorce under pressure from his father, as his son-in-law was repressed as a public enemy.
His second marriage was to pilot Lyubov Sizykh, and they had a daughter named Yuliya. However, there are dark pages in his biography as well.
According to Sergo Beria's memoirs, in the late 1930s, Leonid was associated with suspicious individuals. Some sources even claim that he joined a criminal group.
Reports indicate that he was arrested and sentenced to ten years in a labor camp, but with his father's influence, the sentence was commuted to service in the Soviet-Finnish War. On the front, Leonid distinguished himself as a talented pilot and leader, as reflected in official records.
When the Great Patriotic War began in 1941, Leonid continued his service in aviation. A month after the German invasion began, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner for his services in battle.
In 1942, his plane was shot down, and he sustained serious injuries. He was sent to a hospital in Kuibyshev (now Samara) for treatment, where he nearly lost his leg.
During this time, another incident occurred that cast a shadow over his reputation. According to the memoirs of Stepan Mikoyan, who was in the neighboring ward, Leonid hosted a party and made a bet with an officer: he promised to demonstrate shooting a bottle off his head.
Unfortunately, the bullet went astray and killed the officer. This incident was later confirmed by Leonid's sister as well.
For this incident, he faced a threat of eight years in a labor camp, but his sentence was mitigated, and he was sent to a combat unit on the front. After recovering, he was assigned to a Yak-7 aircraft, and in 1943, he went missing in action during a battle.
Various speculations have arisen regarding Leonid Xrushev's disappearance. According to the official version, he was killed in an air battle.
However, the absence of his body and the lack of clear information about his fate have led to other theories. Some claim he was shot down, captured by the enemy, and collaborated with the Germans.
This notion is further supported by the later accusations of espionage against his wife Lyubov Sizykh and the mysterious disappearance of his daughter Yuliya.
