The French Resistance movement, which emerged during World War II, is known to many, but not everyone knows that its roots are connected to Russian émigrés. One of the first to begin the partisan struggle against the fascists was Boris Vladimirovich Vilde. Born in 1908 into a noble family in the village of Yastrebino near Petrograd, he moved with his family to Germany during the Civil War. Later, Vilde graduated from the Sorbonne, obtained French citizenship, and continued working as an anthropologist at the Museum of Man in Paris.

In 1940, his life changed dramatically: he was called up to the army. The hardest battle Boris Vladimirovich experienced was at the borders of Belgium, where German troops rapidly crossed rivers, and the aviation did not allow them to raise their heads. "The barrels of the guns became so hot that they radiated a thick heat," he wrote to his wife. "We did not stop for several hours, firing at the sky, as long as we had shells left." However, the Wehrmacht proved stronger, and Vilde was captured, but soon escaped successfully and began working underground in Paris.

In the fall, together with his comrades, he began publishing the underground newspaper "Resistance," which later gave its name to the entire movement. They also issued leaflets titled "33 Tips for the Occupied," where they provided practical advice on fighting the fascists. The newspapers were distributed in various ways: they were dropped into mailboxes, plastered on public transport, and "forgotten" in cafes and barbershops.

Over time, establishing connections with other underground groups, Vilde's team helped those wishing to cross the front line and continue the fight in other areas of the war. They conducted sabotage, engaged in reconnaissance, and transmitted information to Britain. In particular, Boris Vladimirovich pointed out the locations of submarine bases and the construction of an airfield. However, in March 1941, the Germans tracked down his group, and all were sentenced to execution. Posthumously, Boris Vilde was awarded the highest honors and became a national hero of France.