Two Captains and their Ships: From the History of the Volga Shipping Company

The article covers the life and work of the two Soviet legendary captains of passenger ships from the Volga shipping company: Vladimir A. Kirillov and Rushan H. Gaynullin. The profile is written in the genre of collective biography and historical journalism. The main reference sources used are documents from the archive of the "Volga Shipping Company" and unpublished memories of some people who personally knew the captains. The author describes the hard life and labour activity of the two heroes who started their career during the Great Patriotic War. Particular attention is paid to different economic, social, political and personal factors which influenced their destinies. The author shows their common and similar biographical features as well as their differences and peculiarities. In addition, the profile features some data about the ships they worked on in different periods. Finally, some bright events from their private life are highlighted. The two characters are shown as outstanding professionals in their sphere, with their life and work serving a model for the present generation of the Volga navigators.