Kozhukh and Kovtiukh. The Iron Flood.
- Foundation date
10 May 2025
A Hero in Literature. Kozhukh and Kovtiukh: The Iron Flood and the Living Biography
In 1924, Aleksandr Serafimovich published The Iron Flood, one of the earliest epic literary works about the Russian Civil War. The central character is Commander Kozhukh.
For our family, this figure holds deep personal meaning: Kozhukh was modeled on a real person — Epifan Iovich Kovtiukh.
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The Literary Hero: Kozhukh
Kozhukh is the commander of a Red Army column. He comes from the people: a peasant, a former soldier of the Imperial Russian Army who fought on the Turkish front and returned to revolution. He is silent, firm, and steady — “with jaws like stone.” His men follow him without hesitation. He doesn’t speak — he acts. He is the embodiment of resolve, discipline, and honest leadership.
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The Real Man: Epifan Iovich Kovtiukh
Born on May 21, 1890, in a rural family in Kherson Governorate, Kovtiukh rose through the ranks of the Imperial Army to become a staff captain. During the Civil War, he served as one of the Red Army’s key commanders on the Southern Front. He was known for his firmness, strategic thinking, and ability to lead under extreme pressure. He was eventually promoted to Komkor (Corps Commander). In 1938, he was arrested and executed on false charges. He was posthumously rehabilitated in 1956.
Conclusion
Kozhukh is more than a fictional hero — he is a reflection of a real-life man: Epifan Kovtiukh. Serafimovich never named him directly, but those who knew, recognized him. Today, we have the opportunity to connect literature and history, character and fate — and to return not only strength to this figure, but his rightful name.
Alt-text:
A black-and-white photograph of Epifan Kovtiukh in military uniform alongside a color illustration of the character Kochukh from The Iron Flood. Both figures look forward. On the left is a drawn Red Army soldier with a rifle on his back and a white cap with a red stripe. On the right is Kovtiukh’s portrait with visible medals. The image highlights the link between the literary figure and his real-life prototype.
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Anna Pivtorak (Kostyuk)
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10.05.2025
