Zinaida Martynovna Portnova

Zinaida Martynovna Portnova was one of the youngest Heroes of the Soviet Union, earning the title posthumously at just 17 years old. As a member of the "Young Avengers" partisan brigade in Belarus, she carried out reconnaissance missions, distributed underground leaflets, and participated in sabotage operations. In 1943, she poisoned food at a German officers' mess, killing over 100 soldiers. Captured in 1944, she seized a pistol during interrogation and shot her interrogator before being overpowered. She was tortured and executed but never revealed information about her comrades. Her story resonates with the Glasgow diaspora community as a symbol of youthful courage.