Arkadi Bystrov was born in 1911.

He graduated from the flight school in Orenburg in 1936.

Starshii politruk Bystrov took part in the late stages of the Nomonhan Incident between August and September 1939 flying Polikarpov I-15bis and I-153s in 22 IAP.

He also took part in the later stages of the Finnish-Soviet Winter War in February and March 1940 flying Polikarpov I-153s in 153 IAP.

In May 1040, he was decorated for courage.

When Germany attacked the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941, starshii politruk Bystrov still served in 153 IAP flying I-153s. The unit was at the time based on the Northern Front.

On 7 September, he didn’t return from a combat mission. After avoiding AA-fire after a ground-attack he collided with another aircraft from his group and parachuted over enemy territory being posted as missing.

At the time of his disappearance, Bystrov was credited with 3 biplane victories.

Claims:

Kill no.	Date	Time	Number	Type	Result	Plane type	Serial no.	Locality	Unit
	1941
1	02/07/41		1	Ju 88	Destroyed	I-153			153 IAP
2	04/07/41		1	Ju 88	Destroyed	I-153			153 IAP
3	20/07/41		1	Blenheim	Destroyed	I-153			153 IAP

Biplane victories: 3 destroyed.
TOTAL: 3 destroyed.

Sources:
All aces of Stalin 1936-1953 – Mikhail Bykov, 2014
Soviet Fighter Pilots 1936-1953 - Mikhail Bykov