Georgy Stepanovich Shonin (Ukrainian: Гео́ргій Степа́нович Шо́нін; 3 August 1935 – 7 April 1997; born in Rovenky, Luhansk Oblast, (now Ukraine) but grew up in Balta of Ukrainian SSR) was a Soviet cosmonaut, who flew on the Soyuz 6 space mission.
Shonin´s family hid a Jewish family from the Nazis during WWII.: 66
In February 1957, Shonin graduated Naval Aviation School as was awarded his lieutenant´s wings. He was then posted to the 935th Fighter Regiment of the Baltic Fleet which was the naval element of the Soviet Air Force.: 66 In 1958, he was transferred to the 768th Fighter Regiment of the Northern Fleet based in the Murmansk region. During this time, he would befriend another young flying officer named Yuri Gagarin.: 67
