Soviet and Russian commander Gerasimov Valery Vasilyevich: biography, achievements and interesting facts

Currently, the post of Chief of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces is occupied by Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation is headed by S. K. Shoigu, and since 2012 his first deputy is Gerasimov.

Army General Gerasimov Valery Vasilyevich is rightfully considered an outstanding commander of modern Russia. His military career began in the Soviet era. Having received a brilliant education, Valery Vasilievich often manifested himself as a competent and calculating commander, capable of taking responsibility for the decisions made. Having a vast experience of participation in military operations and combat operations, he is proud to be the Russian officer.

Childhood of V. Gerasimov

In 1955, on September 8, Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov was born in an ordinary working family in the city of Kazan in the Tatar ASSR (now the Republic of Tatarstan). Even in his childhood, little Valery decided that he would become a military man. Special interest in military service was caused by the stories of his uncle, who during the war of the USSR against fascist Germany (1941-1945) was the commander of a tank company. Gerasimov Valery Vasilyevich loved the works of Konstantin Simonov, which he read in awe. Already in adulthood, Valery Vasilyevich remembers with warmth how, with the end of his fourth grade in high school, his father sent his documents to the Suvorov school in the city of Kazan. But it was in that year that all the Suvorov schools were transferred to a two-year training period. Then followed four long years of waiting, which, it should be admitted, only increased the desire of Valery Vasilyevich to become a real officer.

Study in military educational institutions

In 1973, Valery Gerasimov graduated with honors from the Suvorov School, after which he became a cadet of the Higher Tank Command School in Kazan, which graduated in 1977 with a gold medal. But the young officer's aspiration for self-improvement did not end there either. In 1987, he also successfully completed his studies at the Military Academy of Armored Forces, which was named after Marshal of the Soviet Union R.Ya. Malinovsky. For achievements and high performance, the distinctive organizational abilities VV Gerasimov, already in the rank of colonel of the Russian army, in 1995 was sent to the training courses of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces, where he also showed himself among the best listeners.

Formation of a military career in the Soviet era

The future general of the Russian army began military service in the troops of the Northern Group, since 1977 he commanded a tank platoon. In 1987, immediately after completing his studies at the courses of the Academy of the General Staff, he was sent to serve in the Baltic wreath. To perfect military skill Valery Vasilievich had to be on the territory of military units stationed in Estonia (Tallinn), the Polish People's Republic (now - the Republic of Poland).

Military service in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

During the period of the change in the state system that took place in 1991, Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov headed the headquarters and, in combination, was deputy commander of the motorized rifle division of the Baltic Military Academy. In 1997, he was transferred to military service in the Moscow Military District and took the post of first deputy army commander.

Valery Vasilyevich from March 2003 to April 2005 was Chief of Staff - First Deputy Commander of the Far Eastern Military Academy (Khabarovsk). After that, he was transferred to the post of Chief of the Main Directorate of Combat Training and the Service of the RF Armed Forces, having worked until the end of 2006.

Prior to his appointment as Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery worked as the first deputy commander of the North Caucasian Military Forces (December 2006-December 2007), then by the troops of the Leningrad Military Academy (December 2007-February 2009), the troops of the Moscow Military Academy (February 2009-December 2010 ). Until the end of April 2012 he served as deputy chief of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces. The command of the troops of the Central Military District Valery Vasilyevich carried out from April to November 2012.

In early November 2012, VV Gerasimov was appointed chief of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces, First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation.

Participation in military operations in the North Caucasus

Many outstanding Russian military leaders went through a severe school of life and testing by fighting during the Chechen wars. Valeriy Vasilievich did not escape this fate. From 1993 to 1997 he was commander of a motorized rifle division of the North-Western Group of Forces. The service in the North Caucasus Military District was also held from 1998 to 2003. Participated in counter-terrorist operations. Well-informed about the most difficult military situation in the North Caucasus, he chose the 58th Army, having headed the headquarters. On duty, Valery Vasilievich dealt with questions of staffing the fighting units of the army, organized combat training and provided commanders and rank-and-file fighters with the necessary material means. Soon Valery Gerasimov was entrusted with the management of the operation in the Bamut direction in Chechnya. In the course of the work, the armored group, headed by V. V. Gerasimov, was ambushed.
The commander and fighters of the detachment were shot almost at point-blank range from grenade launchers and other small arms. The group responded with a counter-fire until the helicopters arrived. However, soon managed to prove to the bandits that the Russian soldiers do not like to remain in debt. About a week later, they lured the militants into their trap: over ten bandits were destroyed, and a large number of small arms were captured. Later Valery Vasilievich explained that the preparations for the capture of the militants had been carried out carefully, reconnaissance and artillery had performed well with the task. And most importantly, in this battle were without losses. But for bandits this operation was a big surprise.

Another equally important task for VV Gerasimov was the operation in the Argun gorge to block the Itum-Kale-Shatili road section and part of the state border with Georgia during one of the counter-terrorist operations. At the first stage, the surrounding area was inspected, equipment and weapons were delivered. Then the main task was carried out - tactical airborne training, training of fighters.

Valery Vasilievich gained a lot of experience in organizing and conducting military operations in the mountains in the south-west of Chechnya, among the ruins of Sakinzhili, in the city of Komsomolsk, destroying militant groups.

According to the testimony of his colleagues, even in the most difficult situations Valery Vasilyevich did not lose his presence of spirit, he was calm, focused and judicious. In the course of military operations, the main task he considered was not only the destruction of the maximum number of militants, but also a reduction in the losses of the personnel of his army.

Family life

Gerasimov Valery Vasilievich was equally successful in his personal and family life. The general's wife has been his reliable support for many years. A married couple brings up a son.

Awards of V. V. Gerasimov

For military service, loyalty to duty and the Fatherland, General Valery Gerasimov was awarded many state awards: the Order of Merit for the Fatherland of the IV degree, the Order of Service for the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the III degree, medals "For Military Valor" of the I degree, medals In honor of the 60th anniversary and the 70th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the USSR. He was awarded the Ministry of Defense with medals "200 years to the Ministry of Defense", "For distinction in military service" of the 1st degree, "For impeccable service" of II and III degrees. In addition, Army General VV Gerasimov in 2010 received the International Order of Friendship of Peoples (Republic of Belarus), and also has other honorary signs.

Stories of relatives and colleagues about the general

A military man to the marrow of bones and to the roots of hair, an experienced commander and a reliable comrade - this is how his colleagues Gerasimov Valery Vasilievich. The biography and awards of the general are a vivid confirmation of his great services to the Fatherland. According to the journalists working with him during operations in the North Caucasus, he made only the most positive impression. Simple human qualities - modesty, truthfulness, it combines along with a businesslike, prudent approach to solving a combat mission, the ability to competently and objectively evaluate the situation.

As personally noted by SK Shoigu, Valery Vasilievich is respected as a man and as a military leader. He passed a difficult life from a cadet to a general of the army, he has invaluable experience in the General Staff and in real conditions of military operations. In the working environment Valery Vasilyevich enjoys great respect, his opinion always has authority. The higher military leadership, entrusting him with the execution of any responsible task, was fully confident that V. V. Gerasimov would finish any business until the successful conclusion.

According to one of the commanders, the qualities that VV Gerasimov possesses are peculiar only to highly educated people.

Interesting facts about VV Gerasimov

In 2005, Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov was awarded the rank of colonel-general.

From 2009 to 2012, Valery Vasilyevich commanded a parade on Red Square, dedicated to the Day of Victory of the Soviet Union over German-fascist Germany.

Since 2012, he is a member of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

In 2013, a Russian general published a book, the authors of which were foreign publicists Jesse Russell and Ronald Kon.

The rank of army general was conferred on Valery Vasilievich Gerasimov in February 2013.

In 2014, in connection with the events that took place in Ukraine, and the subsequent exchange of the course of diplomatic relations of most Western countries, Army General VV Gerasimov entered the sanctions lists of the United States, the European Union, Switzerland and Australia.

Life of Gerasimov Valery Vasilyevich is a vivid example for new generations of officers and military personnel. Having acquired a colossal life experience, having served the Fatherland by faith and truth, he continues to make a significant contribution to strengthening the fighting efficiency of the army, and hence the entire Russian state.