Ivan Krivozertsev as a Wittness to Some of the Circumstances of the Katyn Massacre

Abstract

The article systematises the previously unknown aspects of the biography of the Russian peasant Ivan Krivozertsev (1915–1947), who was the most important witness of the Katyn massacre after 1945 until the disclosure of this crime in the 1990s. The article presents details of the repression and death of the witness’s father, currently available information about his family, escape from his place of residence, complete testimony to the Polish authorities and writers, and the investigation undertaken after the unexplained death of Ivan Krivozertsev. The article’s subject is also the legal analysis and verification of testimonies made by Ivan Krivozertsev, the assessment of the witness’ motives and the reconstruction of the witness's character in connection with the recently made feature film.