Media

In the lead-up to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, military historian Alexey Isaev, with the support of Seligdar PJSC, presented the documentary film ‘Gold of Victory’. The film explores the extraction and strategic use of gold during World War II, highlighting its political and economic importance for the Soviet Union, as well as the heroes who served on what Isaev terms the ‘golden front’.

The documentary sheds light on lesser-known chapters of wartime history and tells the story of people who worked under harsh conditions in the Russian Far East, extracting gold in the Dalstroy and Glavzoloto systems to supply the front with critical resources.

A key focus of the project is the management of the wartime gold mining industry, particularly the role of Pyotr Lomako, People's Commissar for Non-Ferrous Metallurgy during the war. His leadership and decisions were instrumental in ensuring the sector’s efficiency and its contribution to the overall war effort.

‘Gold of Victory’ also offers a moral reflection, honoring the lives of individuals who suffered through war and imprisonment but whose labour played a vital part in achieving victory. The film is not only a historical investigation, but also a call for remembrance, urging viewers to respect the past and recognise the sacrifice of those who contributed to it.

Alexey Isaev invites viewers into a thoughtful dialogue about history—its complexity, its contradictions, and its continuing influence on the present. The documentary was produced using archival records and expert analysis, with a commitment to accuracy and objectivity from both Isaev and Seligdar PJSC.

As part of broader efforts to preserve the cultural and historical heritage of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), a companion film titled ‘Territory’ was also released. This documentary is dedicated to the Dalstroy state trust and its role in gold mining during the war years.

We wish you an engaging viewing experience.

1.      Gold of Victory (in Russian, Rutube)

2.      Territory (in Russian, Rutube)