She is known for sabotaging and poisoning German troops during World War II before being captured, tortured and then killed at the age of 17.

As all sources about her fate were heavily influenced by Soviet war propaganda from the very beginning, it is difficult to determine which parts of her story, if any, are true.

[2] An incident with the invading Nazi troops, who hit her grandmother while they were confiscating the cattle, led her to hate the Germans.

[3] In 1942, Portnova joined the Belarusian resistance movement, becoming a member of the local underground Komsomol organization in Obol, Vitebsk Region, named Young Avengers.

After learning how to use weapons and explosives from the older members of the group, Portnova participated in sabotage actions at a pump, local power plant, and brick factory.

Portnova became sick afterwards, vomiting heavily but eventually recovering from the poison after drinking a large quantity of whey.

[2] In December 1943 or January 1944, Portnova was sent back to Obol to infiltrate the garrison, discover the reason for the recent Young Avengers failures,[1] then locate and contact the remaining members.

After the pistol misfired when Portnova attempted to shoot a guard blocking her access to the street, she was captured.