Following the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953 , he was chosen to execute Lavrenty Beria , the former head of the NKVD .
Batitsky served in the Red Army from 1924 and was commander - in - chief of the Air Defense Forces from 1966 to 1978 .
Following the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953 , Batitsky was chosen to execute Lavrenty Beria , the former head of the NKVD .
Batitsky served in the Red Army from 1924 and was commander - in - chief of the Air Defense Forces from 1966 to 1978 .