Irina Belyakova, the physical education teacher of Russian Hero Ilya Spоnyakov, recalled how he pursued his goals and showed leadership at school.
Ilya Spоnyakov stood out for his persistence and leadership even as a schoolboy, his former physical education teacher Irina Belyakova told RIA Novosti. She teaches at Gymnasium No. 46 in Rostov-on-Don, where Spоnyakov studied.
Belyakova said he would not give up when something did not work out, even in physical education class. She recalled that he could calmly organise his classmates and acknowledged his own fault when he was wrong.
Spоnyakov commands a reconnaissance company in the 56th Regiment of the 7th Guards Air Assault Division. He was awarded the title Hero of Russia in 2023 and has also received the Order of Courage and the Medal for Bravery. In 2025, he joined the Time of Heroes programme; in June 2026 he was appointed adviser to Russia’s culture minister.
On Teacher’s Day, President Vladimir Putin presented state awards to teachers who mentored participants in the special military operation. Belyakova received the distinction “For Mentorship.”