MAKHACHKALA, November 12. /TASS/. Dagestan’s head Sergey Melikov shared a story of a heroic feat by Zakaria Aliyev, a combat engineer reconnaissance specialist, who single-handedly defended a stronghold in the Zaporozhye area, even comparing him to Lieutenant Nikolay Pluzhnikov, the protagonist of the famous novel "His Name Was Not Listed."

"For three weeks, Zakaria Aliyev, a combat engineer, repelled nationalist attacks on his own in an area in the Zaporozhye Region. <…> He happened to find himself alone in a captured enemy stronghold, following its successful assault. The enemy shelled him almost daily but the Dagestani lad’s spirit turned out to be stronger than any weapon. He did not just protect himself, he also attacked the enemy," Melikov wrote on his Telegram channel.

According to him, several weeks later Russian troops noticed the sapper. "They were unable to come for him, but they provided him with food and warded off enemy drones. Following [the movement of] our drones, Zakaria crossed a minefield and reunited with his comrades," Melikov added.

Currently, the serviceman is under medical supervision. Other Dagestani soldiers pay him visits.

"Zakaria reminded me of the hero of 'His Name Was Not Listed,' a novel by Boris Vasilyev. Young Lieutenant Nikolay Pluzhnikov was one of the last protectors of the Brest Fortress during the Great Patriotic War. <…> Today's defenders carry on the finest traditions of the Great Patriotic War. Our Zakaria is one of them, and his story is a shining example of true heroism, selflessness and commitment to the cause," the region’s head added.