Ivan Kopyak

Ivan Andreyevich Kopyak
Kopyak's picture from his service records, c.1940
Born26 August 1897
Glubokaya Balka, Poltava Governorate, Russian Empire
DiedJuly 1942(1942-07-00) (aged 44)
Rostov Oblast, Soviet Union
Allegiance
  • Russian Empire
  • Soviet Union
Branch
Years of service
  • 1916–1917
  • 1918–1942
RankMajor general
Commands
Battles / wars
AwardsOrder of the Red Banner

Ivan Andreyevich Kopyak (Russian: Иван Андреевич Копяк; 26 August 1897 – July 1942) was a Red Army major general who held division command during World War II.

A veteran of World War I, Kopyak rose to regimental command by the end of the Russian Civil War. He took command of the 112th Rifle Division in the first days after Operation Barbarossa began and led it during the Battle of Smolensk. Kopyak led the division in its breakout from encirclement and in late 1941 took command of the 140th Rifle Division. The division suffered heavy losses defending against Case Blue in mid-1942, during which Kopyak was presumed killed.