Soviet squadron commander and HSU Kulakov with a Spitfire fighter, 1945.  The first Spitfires were supplied to the Red Army air squadrons in 1945, too late to participate in the fighting in WW2.  This is an interesting illustration, nonetheless, of the fact that lend-lease supplies continued to come to the Soviet Union right up to the end of the war.  Best regards, JR.

Lend-lease Spitfire.

Sergei Litavrin joined the Soviet Red Army in 1939, and completed pilot training in 1940.  Between June 1941 and December 1942 he flew over 300 combat missions with 10 confirmed kills.  In this 'photo, Litavrin wears the Star of the Order of Hero of the Soviet Union, Order of Lenin (twice) and Order of the Red Banner.  The large medal on the ribbon, to the left of his breast - I am not sure (the image is not sufficiently clear), but it may be the Order of Alexander Nevsky, for which, as a mid-ranking officer, he would have been eligible.  The Order of the Patriotic War is also possible, but it looks a little more like the former Order to me.  Best regards, JR.