The entire Soviet Union was talking about Anya and Tanya Korkin—the first separated Siamese twins. The girls were born in 1990. The doctors were upset when they saw that the children were different from others. The young mother burst into tears when they brought her daughters to her. It was difficult for her to come to terms with the fact that she had Siamese twins.
Looking at Anya and Tanya now, it’s hard to imagine that they were once different from ordinary children. The doctors did a good job when they performed the operation to separate the twins.
A woman who gave birth to twins learned about the problem during an ultrasound. The doctors informed her that the children shared one stomach. At the time, there were several months left before the birth, and Vera could not decide whether to terminate the pregnancy. Her husband did not take the news well. He insisted on getting rid of the children, but Vera was against it. She had waited too long for her daughters to lose them now.
When the babies were born, the father came to the maternity hospital. He hoped that the doctors were wrong. When he saw the Siamese twins, he was very upset. The husband threw Vera a bouquet of flowers and left her life forever.
It was difficult for Vera to raise special children. She wanted Anya and Tanya to be no different from other girls. Vera was supported by surgeon Lev Novokreshchenov. He decided that the girls needed to be operated on in Chelyabinsk. All Moscow clinics refused to perform the difficult operation, which was rarely practiced at that time. In the USSR, attempts to separate Siamese twins had been made before, but all operations ended unsuccessfully. Vera took a significant risk.
Lev Novokreshchenov was determined not only to separate the twins but also to ensure that both girls survived. He did not agree to any other outcome. The doctors spent a long time preparing for the operation. It took them about a month to gather their strength.
The surgery took place on May 17, 1990. That day became the second birth for the girls.
Vera raised the children herself. The girls’ father wanted to return to the family after learning about the successful operation. However, Vera could not forgive him, as he had disappeared when she needed support the most.
Life was difficult for the family. They had to starve and save for many years to buy a TV and tape recorder. The city administration eventually allocated a two-room apartment to the family because Vera and her daughters had been living in an old communal apartment. Still, they managed to get through this challenging period.
The girls grew up, and now it is hard to imagine that they were once Siamese twins. Until the age of 14, they underwent medical examinations to ensure their health was stable. The results were positive, and no significant health problems were observed.
Until they turned 10, Anya and Tanya didn’t even realize they had been Siamese twins. At school, they were often bullied because other children believed they had a lot of money. Peers were jealous and assumed the twins lacked for nothing. In reality, the family survived on Vera’s modest salary. Since the girls had no disabilities, they were not eligible for subsidies.
Anya has grown into a bright young woman who loves to wear feminine clothes. She often dyes her hair white and feels attractive. Tanya, in contrast, prefers sporty clothing and short haircuts. She feels confident in this image and doesn’t mind being different from her sister.
Both women now work at a fish factory and strive to achieve everything in life on their own. Tanya sees herself as a strong and determined person, confident in her ability to carve her path in life. Anya, softer and more pliable in character, relies more on her sister.
Now 29 years old, neither of the twins is married. They admit to having admirers but are in no hurry to wed, as they want to focus on building their careers first. Neither Anya nor Tanya has children and, for now, they do not seek motherhood. They have no health problems, and the only reminder of their operation is the scars on their abdomens near their navels.
The renowned surgeon Lev Novokreshchenov passed away in 2016 at the age of 89. During his lifetime, he helped countless people. A memorial plaque dedicated to the great surgeon was unveiled in Chelyabinsk. To honor his memory and achievements, people decided to perpetuate his legacy.
Anya and Tanya attended the memorial unveiling with their mother. They are deeply grateful to the great doctor for helping them in childhood. Without Lev Novokreshchenov, they wouldn’t have been able to live full lives. He was unafraid to take risks and perform the difficult operation, understanding the danger but determined to help the twins.
