This photograph was taken almost two weeks before the death of Vasily Nikolaevich Kochetkov, the oldest soldier of the Russian Empire, and possibly the world. In the image, he is 107 years old. He participated in ten military campaigns, received six wounds, and was awarded 23 combat medals. Vasily Nikolaevich began his service when it lasted 25 years and later found himself in the Life Guards Grenadier Regiment, comparable to modern special forces.

Kochetkov first encountered war in 1812, fighting at Borodino, then participated in the Foreign Campaign and the capture of Paris. His service record includes the Russo-Turkish War, the suppression of the Polish uprising, and service in the Caucasus. In the battle for the village of Dargo, he sustained a serious neck injury and was captured by Chechens. After spending nine months in captivity, he managed to escape.

In 1851, Vasily Nikolaevich retired, but soon returned to military life. During the Crimean War, he went to Sevastopol, where he participated in reconnaissance sorties despite his age of 69. After the war, by order of Alexander II, he was assigned to the honorary company of palace grenadiers.

In 1869, Kochetkov again requested to go to war, this time in Central Asia, where he participated in the storming of Khiva. Several years later, he voluntarily went to the Balkans to help his Slavic brothers in their struggle against Turkey. The Balkan War became the last of his career. In battle at the Shipka Pass, he sustained a serious injury, losing a leg. He was honorably sent back to Russia.

Kochetkov lived briefly in St. Petersburg and then, at the age of 107, decided to return to the Simbirsk province. On the way home, the veteran passed away.