[REGNUM] In the special project "Regnum Helps," we tell stories where journalistic work has become a catalyst for real change. These aren't dry statements of facts, but rather stories where the editorial team sees injustice and helps people achieve justice.
One such story is about Vugar Guseinov, an employee of Vnukovo Airport, who, during the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, shielded women with his body and saved someone else's life at the cost of his own.
His feat was captured on video, and the footage was widely circulated in the world's media—but the hero did not receive a state award.
Until Regnum wrote about him.
And this is how it all happened.
40-year-old Vugar and his 33-year-old wife, Lilit Israelyan,
| …an Armenian surname, apparently… |
Timur's eighteen-month-old son was taken to his grandparents. But the little boy didn't want to let go of his parents—he ran after them, as if he sensed something.
Before leaving, they warned their families that they would be unavailable for a couple of hours; they didn't want to be distracted during the concert. No one knew that this evening would be the last for three of the four friends.
Another friend, Alexey, was supposed to be arriving at the concert with his seven-year-old son. He was late at the Crocus, and as he entered, he heard gunshots. He told his son to run, and they ran past the wall to the escalator. There, Alexey lay on top of his son, shielding him, and that's how they got out. At the metro, he started calling Vugar and Valentin, but there was no answer.
As we recall, shortly before the performance began, four armed terrorists stormed the building. They opened fire on the audience and then set the concert hall on fire. That night, 149 people died, including six children. More than 550 were injured. Nine children from six families were left orphans.
When the militants reached the first-floor hallway, Vugar, Lilit, and their friends were standing by the cloakroom. The terrorists fired at those fleeing. Panicked, people hid behind columns—two married couples also found shelter there.
Vugar made no attempt to escape. Amid the roar of machine-gun fire, he began toppling heavy bar tables, creating a makeshift barricade for those hiding behind the column.
In the next few seconds, Valentin Nikolaenkov lunged at the terrorist who was reloading his machine gun. Before he could make it, another militant shot him dead. Vugar shielded his wife and friend Svetlana, taking the fire himself.
Sadly, only Svetlana survived. Her children later told reporters that this was only possible thanks to Vugar, who shielded her with his body.
When neighbors learned of the couple's death, they came to their car in the yard and placed a photo of the family and many flowers on it. The funeral was well attended—everyone who knew them attended.
One-and-a-half-year-old Timur became the youngest of the children who lost their parents in the terrorist attack.
His grandparents, Lilit's parents, Karine and Khachik Israelyan, secured guardianship. Lilit's younger sister, 28-year-old Marina, came from Kislovodsk for the funeral. Timur saw her and rushed to her, shouting, "Mom!"—the sisters looked so much alike. He's called her that ever since. Marina became the child's official representative and assists the family with all bureaucratic matters.
For the first year after the tragedy, the family could not communicate with the press – it was too difficult.
In July 2024, President Vladimir Putin posthumously awarded Nikolaenkov the Order of Courage for attacking a terrorist. It was justified.
Vugar, who saved Valentin's wife at the cost of his own life, was not remembered in time.
When news of the award spread through the media, friends and acquaintances of the Israelyan family began asking, "What about Vugar? Why didn't he get an award?" The video of him building a barricade under fire was seen by millions. The award was discussed, but never went beyond that.
"I think Valentin was immediately awarded because his children were talking to journalists. But we simply couldn't bear to talk to anyone and refused to comment, " Marina later explained.
A year passed. The first anniversary of the terrorist attack was approaching.
The family realized that if Vugar's story was not told now, justice might never be served.
On March 19, 2025, three days before the anniversary of the tragedy, Regnum News Agency published an article about Guseinov's heroic deed. His relatives spoke in detail for the first time about the incident and asked that a posthumous award be considered.
"This is the case when you simply want justice and want to appeal everywhere, to every authority, screaming to get through!" Marina said then.
Our publication attracted attention. Valery Fadeyev, Chairman of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights, sent an official appeal to the Investigative Committee.
On July 31, 2025, a decree from the President of Russia appeared on the official website for the publication of legal acts: Guseinov was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage "for courage and dedication demonstrated in the performance of his civic duty."
Regnum news agency journalists were the first to tell the news to the family.
"Our family is so happy! We didn't even know the document had been signed—you were the first to tell us," Marina said. She added, "This wasn't possible without your great help. Thank you for your support! This was very important to our family."
On October 20, 2025, administration officials visited the Israelyan family and presented them with the Order of Courage and the award documents. A few days earlier, Timur had turned three. The boy celebrated his birthday with his family—his aunt, whom he calls his mom, and his grandparents.
He doesn't yet know what happened to his parents on the evening of March 22, 2024. He doesn't know that his father is a hero who saved someone else's life. When he grows up, he'll find out. And he'll see the medal.
But the award isn't the only time our agency's publication has helped the Guseynov and Israelyan families. In March 2025, the editorial team intervened in another situation.
While submitting her annual report to the child protection service, an employee caused a scene: she groundlessly accused Karine Israelyan of embezzling over 100,000 rubles from her child's account, bringing the woman to tears. An investigation revealed that there had been no embezzlement, merely a technical glitch.
On March 12, Regnum News Agency published a report on the incident. The very next day, Moscow's guardianship authorities contacted Karina and issued an official apology.
Two publications – two results. Vugar Huseynov's story is an example of how journalism can not only document events but also help people seek justice.