Lev Valerianovich Leshchenko, born on February 1, 1942, in Moscow, Soviet Union, was a Russian singer. Raised by his stepmother and grandparents after his mother's early death, Leshchenko began performing songs during his childhood. He worked as a stagehand at the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre before being conscripted into the Soviet Army in 1961.
Leshchenko's breakthrough came in February 1970 when he won a contest held by the state radio station, becoming a solo vocalist. His rendition of "Den Pobedy" ("The Day of Victory") in 1975 became immensely popular. Throughout his career, Leshchenko performed at significant events such as the closing ceremony of the 1980 Summer Olympics. He received multiple awards, including the Order For Merit to the Fatherland and the Order of Friendship of Peoples.
