At just 14 years old, Valya Kotik wasn’tplaying games — he was blowing up German trains, sneaking through Nazi lines,and spying for the Soviet resistance in occupied Ukraine. In this Dad Tangent,we dive into the incredible true story of the youngest Hero of theSoviet Union — a boy who turned courage into sabotage andbecame a legend before his fifteenth birthday.

Join Dad for a short, powerful side trip into World War II history —complete with bravery, booby traps, and just enough pun to keep thingshistorically groan-worthy.

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