The names of many Decembrists have forever remained in the history of Russia, and some of them even found reflection in literature. Among them was the cavalry guard Mikhail Sergeyevich Lunin, who was written about by Pushkin, Tolstoy, and Dostoevsky.

Lunin came from a noble family and dedicated his life to military service. He was distinguished by incredible bravery and composure, finding pleasure in the very process of battle. At that time, the Napoleonic Wars were ongoing, and Lunin participated in the battles of Austerlitz, Smolensk, and Borodino, for which he received numerous awards.

In peaceful life, Mikhail Sergeyevich was equally passionate. In the high society of Petersburg, he was known as a reveler and a bon vivant. His antics were discussed throughout the capital. Once, for fun, he switched the signs of shops on Nevsky Prospect overnight. On another occasion, he rode naked on a horse through the center of the city as a bet. The residents also remembered how Lunin, while drunk, sang serenades under the windows of the Empress, confessing his love to her.

In 1816, Mikhail Sergeyevich's life changed. He joined the secret society of Decembrists "Union of Salvation," where he often proposed radical ideas. For example, Lunin developed a plan to assassinate Alexander I, which involved an ambush on the road and an attack in masks to remain unrecognized. However, his comrades rejected this idea. Soon, Lunin became disillusioned with the indecisiveness of his friends and left the society, joining the Grodno Hussar Regiment in Poland.

Although Lunin did not participate in the uprising on Senate Square and was essentially innocent, his name came up during interrogations, and investigators quickly took notice of him. Through other Decembrists, his assassination plan for Alexander I became known, which was sufficient grounds for life imprisonment. In exile, Lunin wrote books and articles about the Decembrists and even organized a political circle. He died in 1845.