During World War II, a Resistance movement emerged in Europe, particularly strong in France. Our compatriots also participated in the liberation of the country from the fascist yoke. Among them was Alexander Alexandrovich Ugrimov, who led the Dourdan Resistance. He arrived in Europe on the 'philosophical steamer', later settled in France, and opened a milling business in Dourdan. He perceived the German occupation of France as a personal tragedy, gathered a group of fighters, and joined the Resistance movement.

Thanks to connections in the local mayor's office, Ugrimov organized the issuance of fake documents for partisans, set up a secret weapons cache at his mill, and his squad helped soldiers escape from captivity and conducted sabotage operations. Their sudden nighttime attacks inflicted significant damage on the Germans. In one episode, they rescued a wounded American pilot who urgently needed surgery. Ugrimov found a top-notch surgeon, and the pilot survived, later sending a thank-you letter to the Russian partisan.

With the opening of the Second Front, Ugrimov received orders from the central headquarters to prepare for an offensive. At the signal, his squad rose in rebellion and expelled the occupiers from France. On the day of capitulation, they sang 'The Sacred War' with enthusiasm. In February 1946, Ugrimov was awarded the French Military Cross.

However, a sudden blow followed: due to the entry of Soviet citizens into the Union, he was expelled from France as a suspicious element. In the USSR, the former partisan was arrested, and in 1948 he received a 10-year sentence in labor camps. After his release, Ugrimov worked as a translator at the All-Union Chamber of Commerce.