Meet Boris, a Russian soldier

The year was 1854 and in the shadow of Notvik Tower stood Boris, a young Russian soldier with dark eyes and a strong but watchful demeanor. Despite the tension that hung in the air, it was impossible for him not to feel a certain wonder at the mighty structure he was now a part of. Boris came from a small village deep in the heart of Russia, a place where endless forests met the horizon and where stories of grand fortresses were just that – stories.

It was a chilly morning, and inside the tower’s thick granite walls the cold was even more palpable. Boris lit the wood-burning stove, and it immediately created a pleasant warmth. He had been stationed at Notvik Tower only a month ago, sent to this remote corner of the Empire to defend it against all threats. Although he lacked the security of home, Boris had quickly adapted to life in the fortress. He had learned to load the heavy cannonballs with precision, and had become part of a close-knit group of soldiers.

Boris divided his days between holding strategic discussions, practicing cannon maneuvers, and making sure the defenses were ready for any attack. But despite all the training, nothing could prepare him for what was to come.

On August 8, he was standing guard when he saw the imposing silhouette of Allied ships on the horizon. He could hear the roar of cannons and felt his heart beat faster. This day would be the start of one of the most intense periods of his life.

Over the next few days, Boris’s world was filled with smoke, fire and screams. Notvik Tower, which he had grown so fond of, became a center of incessant fighting. But despite all the chaos and violence, Boris found strength in his comrades, and together they fought to hold the tower.

Finally, after days of relentless fighting, the realization came that they were overwhelmed. Boris could only watch as Colonel Bodisco, with a heart filled with sorrow, raised the white flag.

Then, when the Russian garrison was taken as prisoners of war, Boris could not help but feel a mixture of loss and relief. He knew he had done all he could, but also that he would carry the memory of those days with him for the rest of his life.