Chief of Battalion Staff rank. General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces
There is a new chief in the GRU - General Igor Korobov (biography raises many questions)
Lieutenant General Igor Korobov was appointed head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.This was reported to the Russian Ministry of Defense.
“The corresponding decision has been made, Igor Korobov has been appointed head of the GRU,”- explained the representative of the Ministry of Defense.
“On Monday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu presented General Korobov with the personal standard of the head of the GRU. General Korobov was introduced to the generals and officers of the military intelligence headquarters. The ceremony took place at the Glaucus headquarters. On Friday, Korobov will take up his new office,” the source said.
According to information from the military department, the GRU seriously feared that a security officer from other structures (for example, from the Federal Security Service or the Foreign Intelligence Service) who had not previously encountered the peculiarities of working in military intelligence could be appointed as the new leader.
The Main Intelligence Directorate - GRU - is one of the most closed security forces: its structure, numerical strength, as well as the biographies of senior officers are a state secret.
The GRU is the foreign intelligence agency of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the central military intelligence management body in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It is the executive body and military control body of other military organizations (the Russian Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation).It is headed by the Chief of the GRU, who reports to the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation. The GRU and its structures are engaged in intelligence in the interests of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, including intelligence, space, radio-electronic, etc.
On November 21, 2018, after a long illness, Igor Korobov, Chief of the GRU of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, died. Appointed to perform his duties
According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the Russian military intelligence system under the command of Colonel General Igor Sergun worked very effectively. She “timely revealed new challenges and threats to the security of the Russian Federation.” Military intelligence participated in the planning and implementation of the operation to annex Crimea to Russia in February-March 2014.
Since the summer of 2015, the GRU, together with the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff, has been planning a Russian air operation in Syria.
In November 2015, the head of the GRU, Colonel General Igor Sergun, visited Damascus confidentially. The GRU prepared an open report at an international conference held in Moscow in the fall of 2015, which analyzed the goals and recruitment activity of the Islamic State in the Central Asian region and the republics of the Ural-Volga region and the North Caucasus.
Sergei Shoigu presents a personal standard to the Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Igor Korobov. Photo: Twitter of the Russian Ministry of Defense
The GRU, according to foreign sources, uses high-tech methods of search and data analysis to collect information. Thus, in January 2016, the German magazine “Spiegel” claimed that the hacker attack on the Bundestag in 2015 was initiated by Russian military intelligence. Similar actions by hackers took place in some other NATO countries.
Bloomberg indicates that GRU employees use disguises in cyberspace that the US National Security Agency is unable to reveal.Moreover, the level of competence of GRU specialists is so high that their presence can only be revealed if they themselves want it...
For a long time, the headquarters of the GRU was located in Moscow in the Khodynskoye Pole area, Khoroshevskoye Shosse, 76.After the construction of a new headquarters complex, which consists of several buildings with an area of more than 70 thousand m² with a so-called situation center and command post, the GRU headquarters was moved to the street. Grizodubova in Moscow, 100 meters from the old complex known as the Aquarium.
Colonel General Igor Sergun, who previously headed the GRU, died suddenly on January 3, 2016 in the Moscow region due to acute heart failure at the age of 58.
As Ivan Safronov wrote earlier in the article “Intelligence Among Our Own”, posted on the portal of the Kommersant publishing house, competent persons first of all named one of his deputies as the new head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation instead of the deceased Igor Sergun .
Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to Sergun’s family and friends, calling him a man of great courage. Expressing condolences to the general’s family and colleagues, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that it was under his leadership that “the Russian military intelligence system received its further development, functioned with proper efficiency, and promptly identified new challenges and threats to the security of the Russian Federation.”
Let us note that General Sergun headed the GRU immediately after the reforms of Alexander Shlyakhturov. The reform provided for a reduction in the number of special forces brigades, as well as the transfer of some units to the subordination of military districts. According to a General Staff officer, after the appointment of Sergei Shoigu as head of the military department, Igor Sergun carried out a structural reorganization of the GRU, rolling back some of the changes of his former chief.Already in February-March 2014, the special service played one of the main roles in the operation to annex Crimea to Russia.
Sources close to the General Staff note that the new head of military intelligence will lead an extremely effective and balanced department, the creation of which is “the merit of Igor Dmitrievich Sergun.” The head of the GRU, Sergun, has had at least four deputies in recent years, about whom little is known.
General Vyacheslav Kondrashov
in 2011, he was already deputy to the previous head of the GRU, Alexander Shlyakhturov; in May of the same year, he presented a report at the Academy of the General Staff on the tactical and technical characteristics of ballistic missiles in service in the countries of the Near and Middle East (including Iran and North Korea) .
General Sergey Gizunov
Before his appointment to the central apparatus of the GRU, he headed the 85th main center of the special service, and at the end of 2009 he became a laureate of the Russian Government Prize in the field of science and technology.
Igor Lelin
in May 2000, with the rank of colonel, he was the military attache of the Russian Federation in Estonia (he was mentioned in a report by a local publication dedicated to the laying of flowers at the memorial to liberating soldiers on Tõnismägi Square), by 2013 he received the rank of major general and worked as deputy head of the main department personnel of the armed forces of the Russian Federation. In 2014 he was transferred to the GRU.
The fourth deputy of Igor Sergun was General Igor Korobov. There is no mention of his participation in any public events, Igor Korobov’s biography is a “closed seal” secret, but it was he who was called a “serious person” in the media and considered the most likely candidate for the vacated post.
What is reliably known about the new head of the GRU?
What details of Igor Korobov’s biography are still known?
He was awarded the Order “For Services to the Fatherland”, 4th degree, the Order of Alexander Nevsky, the Order of Courage, the Order “For Military Merit”, the Order “For Service to the Motherland in the USSR Armed Forces”, 3rd degree and the Medal “For Courage”.
It is difficult to construct a detailed biography, but the key points can be outlined. Let's skip the school years. It is known that Igor Korobov graduated with honors from the flight department of the Stavropol Higher Military Aviation School of Air Defense Pilots and Navigators (1973-1977) and received the rank of lieutenant. To serve, he was assigned to the 518th Fighter Aviation Berlin Order of Suvorov Regiment (Talagi airfield, Arkhangelsk) of the 10th Separate Red Banner Air Defense Army.
Young pilots who arrived in the regiment from the Stavropol school - lieutenants Faezov, Anokhin, Korobov, Patrikeev, Zaporozhtsev, Syrovatkin, Tkachenko, Fatkulin and Tyurin - spent the first year retraining for new equipment in the third squadron of the regiment. After this they were assigned to the first and second squadrons. Lieutenant Korobov ended up in the second.
Two-seat Tu-128 long-range loitering interceptors (a total of five regiments in the USSR Air Defense Fighter Aviation were equipped with them) covered the areas of Novaya Zemlya, Norilsk, Khatanga, Tiksi, Yakutsk, etc. In those directions, there were “gaps” in the single radar field and there were very few alternate airfields, which made the “carcass” the only effective means of covering the country’s air borders.
Second squadron of the 518th Berlin Aviation Order of Suvorov Regiment. The squadron commander and his deputy are sitting. Standing on the far right is senior lieutenant Igor Korobov (between the pilots - “Korobok”). Talagi airfield, Arkhangelsk, late 1970s.
In 1980, a personnel officer from the central apparatus of the GRU came to the regiment, began to study personal files, and selected two SVVAULSH graduates from 1977 - Viktor Anokhin and Igor Korobov. At the interview, Viktor Anokhin refused the offer to change his job profile. Igor Korobov agreed.
In 1981, Igor Korobov entered the Military Diplomatic Academy with a specialization in military intelligence.
Then - in various positions in the GRU, he was the first deputy head of the Main Directorate, supervising strategic intelligence issues - all the department's foreign residencies were under his jurisdiction.
In February 2016, by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, he was appointed head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation - Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Apparently, the Ministry of Defense was inclined towards the option that would allow maintaining continuity in the work of the special service, which General Sergun had been building in recent years.
Sources in the military department told Kommersant that the new head of the GRU will be an active intelligence officer, and not someone from other law enforcement agencies. According to them, the candidacies of several deputies of Igor Sergun, who died suddenly on January 3 in the Moscow region due to acute heart failure, were considered as a priority.
According to Kommersant's information, the GRU feared that a security officer from other structures (for example, from the Federal Security Service or the Foreign Intelligence Service), who had not previously encountered the peculiarities of the work of military intelligence, could be appointed as the new leader.
The General Staff and the Ministry of Defense considered that continuity was necessary for the stable functioning of the department.
New headquarters of the Main Intelligence Directorate outside and inside
Currently, the GRU is actively involved in planning Russia’s military air operation in Syria, and also provides space, electronic and human intelligence data to the country’s top military-political leadership.
Given the importance of this work, it can be assumed that the new head of the GRU enjoys the full confidence of the Russian leadership.
GRU structure
It is difficult to judge the current structure of the GRU, but judging by open sources, the GRU includes 12-14 main departments and about ten auxiliary departments. Let's name the main ones.
The first Directorate includes the countries of the European Commonwealth (except Great Britain).
Second Directorate - the Americas, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand.
Third Directorate - Asian countries.
Fourth Directorate - African countries.
The Fifth Directorate deals with operational intelligence.
Sixth - radio intelligence.
The Seventh Directorate works for NATO.
Eighth Directorate - sabotage (SpN).
The Ninth Directorate deals with military technology.
Tenth - military economy.
Eleventh - strategic doctrines and weapons.
Twelfth - ensuring information wars.
In addition, there are auxiliary departments and departments, including the space intelligence department, personnel department, operational and technical department, administrative and technical department, external relations department, archive department and information service.
General military training of GRU officers is carried out at the Novosibirsk Higher Military Command School. Specialties:
“use of military reconnaissance units”
“use of special reconnaissance units” .
Special training for GRU officers - at the Military-Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. Faculties:
strategic human intelligence,
agent-operational intelligence,
operational-tactical reconnaissance .
The structure of the GRU also includes research institutes, including the famous 6th and 18th Central Research Institutes in Moscow.
2018-11-22T21:22:11+05:00 Alex Zarubin Analysis - forecast Defense of the Fatherland Figures and faces army, biography, military operations, GRU, intelligence, RussiaThe GRU has a new chief - General Igor Korobov (biography raises many questions) Lieutenant General Igor Korobov was appointed head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. This was reported to the Russian Ministry of Defense. “The corresponding decision has been made, Igor Korobov has been appointed head of the GRU,” explained a representative of the Ministry of Defense. “On Monday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu presented General Korobov with a personal...Alex Zarubin Alex Zarubin [email protected] Author In the Middle of Russia
Valery Gerasimov was born on September 8, 1955 in the city of Kazan, Tatarstan. Grew up in a working-class family. He graduated from the Kazan Suvorov Military School with honors, the Kazan Higher Tank Command School named after the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic with a gold medal, the Military Academy of Armored Forces named after Marshal of the Soviet Union R.Ya. Malinovsky with honors, the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
He served as a platoon commander, company commander, chief of staff, and battalion commander in the 80th Tank Regiment of the 90th Guards Tank Division. Northern Group of Forces in Poland, chief of staff of a battalion in the Far Eastern Military District, chief of staff - deputy commander of a tank regiment, commander of a tank regiment, chief of staff - deputy commander and commander of a guards motorized rifle division in the Baltic Military District and the North-Western Group of Forces. In August 1994, he led the withdrawal of the division to the Moscow Military District. Since 1995 - studying at the academy.
Since 1997, he served as 1st Deputy Commander of the 1st Guards Tank Army in the Moscow Military District, deputy commander, since February 1998 as Chief of Staff, and since February 2001 as Commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army in the North Caucasus Military District. He served as chief of staff of the Far Eastern Military District since March 2003, and since April 2005 - head of the Main Directorate of Combat Training and Service of the Armed Forces. In December 2006, he took up the post of chief of staff of the North Caucasus Military District.
After the resignation of Anatoly Serdyukov from the post of Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation on November 9, 2012, the new Minister of Defense S.K. Shoigu presented to Russian President Vladimir Putin the candidacy of Valery Gerasimov for the post of Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation - First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation.
In 2012, on November 9, he was appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin to the position of Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation - First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation.
Since November 13, 2012, he has been a member of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. During the absence of Defense Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, Army General Valery Gerasimov is the Acting Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation.
In January 2013, he addressed the general meeting of the Academy of Military Sciences with a report on the topic “Main trends in the development of forms and methods of using the armed forces, current tasks of military science to improve them”
Army General Valery Gerasimov is the Chairman of the interdepartmental commission for the State Prize named after Marshal G.K. Zhukov.
Organizer of the Russian military operation in Syria, which began in September 2015. For the courage and heroism shown in the performance of military duty, in May 2016, by a closed decree of the President of Russia, Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov was awarded the highest state award - Hero of the Russian Federation.
Military ranks of Valery Gerasimov
Lieutenant (1977)
Senior Lieutenant (1979)
Captain (1981)
Major (1984)
Lieutenant Colonel (1987)
Colonel (1992)
Guard Major General (August 1994)
Lieutenant General (February 2002).
Colonel General (February 22, 2005).
General of the Army (February 20, 2013)
Awards Valery Gerasimov
USSR and Russia
Hero of the Russian Federation (2016)
Order of St. George, III degree (2017)
Order of St. George, IV degree
Order of Merit for the Fatherland, III degree with swords (2014)
Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree with swords
Order of Military Merit
Order of Honor
Order "For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" III degree
Medal "For Military Merit"
Medal "In memory of the 1000th anniversary of Kazan"
Medal "60 years of the Armed Forces of the USSR"
Medal "70 years of the Armed Forces of the USSR"
Medal "For Military Distinction"
Medal "For Military Valor" 1st class
Medal "For Strengthening the Military Commonwealth"
Medal "200 years of the Ministry of Defense"
Medal "For Distinction in Military Service" 1st class
Medal "For Impeccable Service" 2nd class
Medal "For Impeccable Service" 3rd class
Medal "For participation in the military parade on Victory Day"
Medal "For the Return of Crimea"
Medal "For strengthening the state information security system" 1st degree
Medal "For Merit in Ensuring National Security"
Medal "For the Commonwealth in the Name of Salvation"
Honored Military Specialist of the Russian Federation (2009)
Foreign awards
Order of Friendship of Peoples (Republic of Belarus, 2010)
Order of the Army of Nicaragua (Nicaragua, 2013)
Medal “For Merit in the Field of Military Cooperation” (Azerbaijan, 2014).
Medal “Marshal Bagramyan” (Armenian Armed Forces, 2015)
Public awards
Imperial Military Order of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
Currently, the post of Chief of the Main Staff of the RF Armed Forces is occupied by Valery Vasilievich Gerasimov. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation is headed by S. K. Shoigu, and since 2012 his first deputy is Gerasimov.
Participation in military operations in the North Caucasus
Many outstanding Russian military leaders went through a harsh school of life and testing in combat during the Chechen wars. This fate did not escape Valery Vasilyevich either. From 1993 to 1997, he was the commander of a motorized rifle division. He also served in the North Caucasus Military District from 1998 to 2003. Participated in counter-terrorism operations. Well aware of the difficult military situation in the North Caucasus, he chose the 58th Army, heading the headquarters. As part of his service, Valery Vasilyevich dealt with issues of staffing the warring army units, organized combat training and provided commanders and ordinary soldiers with the necessary material resources. Soon Valery Gerasimov was entrusted with the leadership of the operation in the Bamut direction in Chechnya. During the work, the armored group, led by V.V. Gerasimov, found itself in an ambush.
The commander and soldiers of the detachment were shot almost point-blank from grenade launchers and other small arms. The group returned counter fire until the helicopters arrived. However, they soon managed to prove to the bandits that Russian soldiers do not like to remain in debt. About a week later, they lured the militants into their trap: over ten bandits were killed and a large number of small arms were captured. Later, Valery Vasilyevich explained that preparations for the capture of the militants were carried out carefully, reconnaissance and artillery coped with the task perfectly. And most importantly, there were no casualties in this battle. But for the bandits, this operation came as a big surprise.
An equally important task for V.V. Gerasimov was also the operation in the Argun Gorge to block the section of the Itum-Kale - Shatili road and part of the state border with Georgia during one of the counter-terrorism operations. At the first stage, the surrounding area was surveyed, equipment and weapons were delivered. Next, the main task was carried out - tactical training of airborne troops, training of fighters.
Valery Vasilyevich, as a commander, gained considerable experience in organizing and conducting combat operations in the mountains in the south-west of Chechnya, among the ruins of the town of Sakinzhili, in the city of Komsomolsky, destroying militant formations.
According to his colleagues, even in the most difficult situations, Valery Vasilyevich did not lose his presence of mind, was calm, focused and reasonable. During the fighting, he considered the main task not only to destroy the maximum number of militants, but also to reduce the loss of personnel of his army.
Family life
Valery Vasilievich Gerasimov was no less successful in his personal and family life. The general's wife has been his reliable support for many years. A married couple is raising a son.
Awards of V. V. Gerasimov
For military merit, loyalty to duty and the Fatherland, General Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov received many state awards: the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree, the Order “For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR”, III degree, the medal “For Military Valor”, I degree, medals in honor of the 60th and 70th anniversary of the USSR Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defense awarded him the medals “200 years of the Ministry of Defense”, “For Distinction in Military Service” of the 1st degree, and “For Impeccable Service” of the 2nd and 3rd degrees. In addition, Army General V.V. Gerasimov received the International Order of Friendship of Peoples (Republic of Belarus) in 2010, and also has other honorary badges.
Stories from relatives and colleagues about the general
A military man to the marrow of his bones and to the roots of his hair, an experienced commander and a reliable comrade - this is how Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov appears to his colleagues. The general's biography and awards are clear confirmation of his great services to the Fatherland. According to the testimony of journalists who worked next to him during operations in the North Caucasus, he made only the most positive impression. He combines simple human qualities - modesty, truthfulness, along with a businesslike, prudent approach to solving a combat mission, and the ability to competently and objectively assess the situation.
As S.K. Shoigu personally noted, Valery Vasilyevich is respected as a person and as a military leader. He went through a difficult life path from a cadet to an army general, and has invaluable experience working in the General Staff and in real combat conditions. In the working environment, Valery Vasilyevich is highly respected, his opinion always has authority. The senior military leadership, entrusting him with any important task, was completely confident that V.V. Gerasimov would bring any task to a successful conclusion.
According to the remark of one of the military leaders, the qualities that V.V. Gerasimov possesses are characteristic only of highly educated people.
Interesting facts about V.V. Gerasimov
In 2005, Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov was awarded the rank of Colonel General.
From 2009 to 2012, Valery Vasilyevich commanded the parade on Red Square dedicated to the Victory Day of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany.
Since 2012, he has been a member of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.
In 2013, a book was published about the Russian general, authored by foreign publicists Jesse Russell and Ronald Cohn.
The rank of army general was awarded to Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov in February 2013.
In 2014, in connection with the events that took place in Ukraine and the subsequent change in the course of diplomatic relations of most Western states, Army General V.V. Gerasimov was included in the sanctions lists of the United States, the European Union, Switzerland and Australia.
The life of Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov is a shining example for new generations of officers and military personnel. Having acquired enormous life experience, having faithfully served the Fatherland, he continues to make a significant contribution to strengthening the combat capability of the army, and, therefore, the entire Russian state.
TASS-DOSSIER /Valery Korneev/.
Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov was born on September 8, 1955 in the city of Kazan (Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, now the Republic of Tatarstan), into a working-class family.
Having entered the Kazan Suvorov Military School in 1971, he graduated from it in 1973.
In 1977 he graduated from the Kazan Higher Tank Command School. Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (now a branch of the Military Educational and Scientific Center of the Ground Forces "Combined Arms Academy of the RF Armed Forces", VUNTS SV "OVA RF Armed Forces"), in 1987 - the Military Academy of Armored Forces named after. Marshal of the Soviet Union R. Ya. Malinovsky in Moscow (in 1998 joined the VUNTS SV "OVA RF Armed Forces"), in 1997 - the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
In 1977-1984. commanded a platoon, a company, and then a battalion in the 80th Tank Regiment of the 90th Guards Tank Division of the Northern Group of Forces, stationed in the Polish People's Republic (now the Republic of Poland).
In 1984-1987 - Chief of Staff of the battalion in the Far Eastern Military District.
Between 1987 and 1993 - chief of staff - deputy commander of a tank regiment, then - commander of a tank regiment, chief of staff - deputy commander of the 144th Guards Motorized Rifle Division in the Baltic Military District (Tallinn, now Estonia).
From 1993 to 1995 - commander of the 144th Division of the Guards Motorized Rifle Division in the North-Western Group of Forces. In 1994, he led the withdrawal of the division to the Moscow Military District (Yelnya, Smolensk region), where it was transformed into the 4944th weapons and equipment storage base (BHVT).
Between 1997 and 1998 served as first deputy commander of the 1st Guards Tank Army in the Moscow Military District (Smolensk).
In 1998-2003 - Deputy Army Commander, Chief of Staff - First Deputy Army Commander, then - Commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army in the North Caucasus Military District.
From March 2003 to April 2005 - Chief of Staff - First Deputy Commander of the Far Eastern Military District (Khabarovsk).
In April 2005 - December 2006 - Head of the Main Directorate of Combat Training and Troop Service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
From December 2006 to December 2007 - Chief of Staff - First Deputy Commander of the North Caucasus Military District.
From December 11, 2007 to February 5, 2009, he served as commander of the Leningrad Military District (headquarters in St. Petersburg).
In the period from February 5, 2009 to December 23, 2010 - commander of the troops of the Moscow Military District. On December 23, 2010, he was appointed Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, serving in this position until April 26, 2012. In 2009-2012. commanded parades in honor of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. on Red Square in Moscow.
From November 9, 2012 to present V. - Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation - First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation. Replaced Army General Nikolai Makarov in this post.
In November 2012, he became a member of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.
In 2014, in connection with the events in Ukraine, it was included in the sanctions lists of the USA (March 17), EU (March 21), Switzerland (April 2) and Australia (June 19).
Awarded the Order "For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" III degree (2014), "For Military Merit", "For Merit to the Fatherland" IV degree, Order of Honor, "For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" III degree, medals. Also awarded the Order of Friendship of Peoples (Belarus, 2010) and the Order of the Army of Nicaragua (2013).
Gerasimov Valery Vasilievich - Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation - First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Army General.
Born on September 8, 1955 in the city of Kazan, Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, into a working-class family. In 1971 he graduated from high school, and in 1973 from the Kazan Suvorov Military School.
In the Armed Forces of the USSR since 1973. In 1977 he graduated from the Kazan Higher Tank Command School named after the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. He commanded a platoon, company, and battalion in the 80th Tank Regiment of the 90th Guards Tank Division in the Northern Group of Forces. In 1977-1984 - chief of staff of the battalion in the Far Eastern Military District.
In 1987 he graduated from the Military Academy of Armored Forces named after Marshal of the Soviet Union R.Ya. Malinovsky. Since 1987, he served as chief of staff and commander of a tank regiment, chief of staff of the 144th Guards Motorized Rifle Division in the Baltic Military District (Tallinn). In 1993-1995 - commander of the 144th Guards Motorized Rifle Division in the North-Western Group of Forces (in 1994 it was withdrawn to the Russian Federation and became part of the Moscow Military District).
In 1997 he graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Since 1997 - First Deputy Commander of the 1st Guards Tank Army in the Moscow Military District. Since February 1998 - Deputy Commander - Chief of Staff, and since February 2001 - Commander of the 58th Army in the North Caucasus Military District. Participated in hostilities on the territory of the Chechen Republic. Since March 2003 - Chief of Staff of the Far Eastern Military District.
Since April 2005 - Head of the Main Directorate of Combat Training and Troop Service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Since December 2006 - Chief of Staff of the North Caucasus Military District. Since December 2007 - Commander of the Leningrad Military District. Since February 2009 - Commander of the Moscow Military District. Since December 2010 - Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Since April 26, 2012 - Commander of the Central Military District.
Since November 9, 2012 - Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation - First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation. In this post, in 2015-2016, he exercised general leadership over the actions of Russian troops during the military operation to destroy terrorist groups in the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic.
By decree of the President of the Russian Federation in May 2016, for courage and heroism shown in the performance of military duty, Army General Gerasimov Valery Vasilievich awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation with a special distinction - the Gold Star medal.
Member of the Security Council of the Russian Federation since November 2012.
In 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 he commanded parades in honor of Victory Day on Red Square in Moscow.
Military ranks:
Major General;
Lieutenant General (2002);
Colonel General (02/22/2005);
General of the Army (02/20/2013).Awarded the Order of St. George 3rd (2017) and 4th (2015) degrees, “For services to the Fatherland” 3rd degree with swords (2014) and 4th degree with swords (04/27/2002), “For the military merit" (05/16/2000), Honor (2012), "For service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" 3rd degree, medals, including "For Military Merit", as well as orders and medals of foreign countries, including the Order Friendship of Peoples (2010, Republic of Belarus).
Honored Military Specialist of the Russian Federation (2009).
Honorary citizen of Kazan (2015).
