Russian WWII a veteran Nikolai Bagayev said that he cheated death twice. First, he cheated it when the German troops invaded the Soviet Union, and now he cheated it against COVID-19.

The 102-year-old is part of a shrinking group of veterans who were revered in Russia for their role in defeating Nazi Germany in WWII. Bagayev worked in the Soviet republic of Kazakhstan where he helped build the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the world¢¥s first and largest space launch facility that sent the first man into space in 1961.

Bagayev had 80% lung damage when he was admitted to hospital in a town near the capital of Moscow, and he spent over a month there, including a week in intensive care.

Bagayev was finally discharged last week on Thursday, saying a huge thank you to the doctors who saved him. The man also said that he learned a breathing technique from Soviet cosmonauts that helped him recover from COVID-19.

Difficult words: veteran (someone who fought in a war), revere (to feel deep respect and admiration for something or someone), discharge (to allow someone to leave a hospital, prison, etc.).