Berezina River
In early July 1941, soon after Germany invaded the Soviet Union, the 1st Division confronted the enemy in the town of Borisov, near the Berezina River. Ibárruri's platoon covered the retreat of the regiment across the river. He was severely wounded during the battle, and evacuated to the Kuibyshev where he recovered and associated with Leonid Khrushchev who was also recovering there. In September 1941, President Mikhail Kalinin had personally awarded him the Order of the Red Banner.