In that capacity he was tasked with guarding an area near the main base of the Northern Fleet, where he made his first attack on an enemy vessel in September 1941.

[2] He went on to sink a submarine, six vessels, and shoot down a plane by the start of 1944 for which he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union on 22 February 1944.

During the Petsamo-Kirkenes offensive he twice managed to break through enemy lines to reach the port of Liinahamari for a landing on the night on 13 October 1944, which resulted in the awarding of his second gold star on 5 November.

[4] Despite his lack of theoretical military education he nevertheless used well-thought-out tactics, such as gliding toward enemy vessels after turning off the motor to avoid detection before opening fire at close range.

[5][6] On a mission to search a fjord with Viktor Leonov, they captured two German officers, who later provided useful information to headquarters under interrogation.