On June 29, Russia celebrates Partisans and Underground Fighters Day, dedicated to the memory of all those who fought in partisan detachments behind enemy lines during the Great Patriotic War, disrupting communications, instilling fear in fascist executioners and criminals, providing invaluable assistance to the Red Army, and thereby bringing the long-awaited Victory closer. On this day in 1941, a directive was issued by the Sovnarkom of the USSR and the Central Committee of the VKP(b) to party and Soviet organizations in frontline areas, calling for the mobilization of all forces and resources to defeat the fascist invaders. This day is considered the official beginning of the partisan movement in the Soviet Union. The partisan movement during the war became a mass phenomenon. Behind enemy lines, more than a million partisans conducted sabotage operations, destroyed railroads, annihilated German garrisons and depots, and transmitted intelligence to the Red Army command. Their active operations forced the Nazi command to allocate large police forces, guard troops, and a significant number of regular units to fight them and protect communications. Partisans and underground fighters were people of different nationalities, ages, and professions. Among them were women and teenagers. They operated under extremely difficult conditions, often risking their lives to complete combat missions. Examples of partisan heroism include the activities of Sidor Kovpak, Matvei Kuzmin, Vali Kotik, Varvara Vyrvich, and many other heroes whose names have forever entered history.