Vasil Uładzimiravič Bykaŭ ( often spelled Vasil Bykov , , ) ( June 19 , 1924 -- June 22 , 2003 ) was a prolific author of novels and novellas about World War II , is a monumental figure in Belarusian literature and civic thought .
Vasil Uładzimiravič Bykaŭ ( June 19 , 1924 - June 22 , 2003 ) was an author of many novels and novellas about World War II . He is a big figure in Belarusian literature and civic thought .