Nikolai Ilyich Usenko (Russia: Николай Ильич Усенко; 22 December 1924 – 21 March 1996) was a Red Army man and Hero of the Soviet Union.

[1][2][3][4] Usenko was born on 22 December 1924 in Kamenka village in the Irbeysky District of Krasnoyarsk Krai to a peasant family.

In 1930, his family was dispossessed and as special settlers relocated to the village of Kosoy Byk in the Kezhemsky District.

He became a telephonist and was sent to the Northwestern Front as part of a ski brigade, which was merged into the 3rd Guards Airborne Division.

In July, Usenko fought in the Battle of Kursk as well as the subsequent Operation Kutuzov as part of his division.

On 5 October, Usenko attempted to repair the line again and encountered a group of German soldiers, of whom he reportedly killed 25 with three hand grenades.