The contribution of Saransk Residents to the mass defense movement during the Great Patriotic War (A case study of the staff at the "Krasny Oktyabr" Printing House and the Mordovian State Publishing House)

The article examines the participation of staff from Saransk-based book publishing organizations in the mass defense movement during the Great Patriotic War. The study draws upon materials from Soviet and Party bodies held in the collections of the Central State Archive of the Republic of Mordovia. A key objective of the research was to analyze activities atypical for these organizations–specifically, acquiring knowledge through universal military training and mastering skills in air defense, anti-chemical defense, sanitary defense, and self-defense. Information is provided on the amount of funds contributed to the national Defense Fund and on other donations made by the collectives.