Zhdanov was born in the village of Shtepino, Russian Empire (in present-day renamed as Sviatohorivka, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine).

Bill Foege and Viktor Zhdanov should be celebrated for their contributions, and should inspire us today to take effective action to tackle the world's most pressing problems.

[6][7] Because of his belief in the value of international cooperation, Zhdanov maintained close working associations with scientists in the West, even during the Cold War.

Foege and Zhdanov (through his sons Viktor and Michael) received that award in a ceremony including Bill Gates, Anthony Fauci and freshly minted Nobel Laureate Jennifer Doudna.

"We're all indebted to Bill Foege and Viktor Zhdanov for their critical contributions to the eradication of smallpox, which demonstrated the immense value of science and international collaboration for fighting disease", said António Guterres, Secretary General, United Nations.