Anatoly Kvashnin

{{family name hatnote|Vasiliyevich|Kvashnin|lang=Eastern Slavic}}

{{Infobox military person

| honorific_prefix =Hero of the Russian Federation General of the Army

| name = Anatoly Kvashnin

| native_name = Анатолий Васильевич Квашнин

| native_name_lang = ru

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1946|8|15|df=y}}

| birth_place = Ufa, Bashkir ASSR, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
(now Bashkortostan, Russia)

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|1|7|1946|8|15|df=y}}

| death_place = Moscow, Russia

| placeofburial = Federal Military Memorial Cemetery

| image = Anatoly Kvashnin 1.jpg

| caption =

| nickname =

| allegiance = {{flag|Soviet Union}} (to 1991)
{{flag|Russia}}

| branch = {{army|Soviet Union}}
{{army|Russia}}

| serviceyears = 1969–2004

| rank = 60px General of the army

| commands = General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

| laterwork = Presidential Envoy to the Siberian Federal District
(with the civilian service rank of 1st class Active State Councillor of the Russian Federation)

| unit =

| battles = First Chechen War
War of Dagestan
Second Chechen War

| awards = {{{!}} style="background: transparent"

{{!}}-

{{!}}{{Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 2nd class}}{{!!}}{{Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 3rd class}}{{!!}}{{Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 4th class}}

{{!}}}

{{{!}} style="background: transparent"

{{!}}{{Order of Alexander Nevsky (Russian Federation)}}{{!!}}{{Order of Courage (Russia)}}{{!!}}{{Order of Honour (Russia)}}{{!!}}{{Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR", 3rd class}}

{{!}}-

{{!}}{{Medal "In Commemoration of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow"}}{{!!}}{{Medal "For Merit in the Conduct of the All-Russian Population Census"}}{{!!}}{{Jubilee Medal "In Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin"}}{{!!}}{{Medal "Veteran of the Armed Forces of the USSR"}}

{{!}}-

{{!}}{{Medal "For the Development of Virgin Lands"}}{{!!}}{{Jubilee Medal "50 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR"}}{{!!}}{{Jubilee Medal "60 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR"}}{{!!}}{{Jubilee Medal "70 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR"}}

{{!}}-

{{!}}{{Medal "For Impeccable Service" 1st Class}}{{!!}}{{Medal "For Impeccable Service" 2nd Class}}{{!!}}{{Medal "For Impeccable Service" 3rd Class}}

{{!}}}

Several others (see below)

}}

Anatoly Vasilyevich Kvashnin ({{langx|ru|Анатолий Васильевич Квашнин}}; 15 August 1946 – 7 January 2022) was a Russian general of the army who served as the Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces from 1997 to 2004, when he was dismissed by President Vladimir Putin. In the period from 2004 to 2010, he was the Plenipotentiary Envoy of the President of Russia to the Siberian Federal District.

Early life

Anatoly Kvashnin was born on August 15, 1946, in Ufa, Bashkir Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (now Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russian Federation). His father, Vasily Iosifovich Kvashnin, was a career military officer and was honorably discharged from military service with the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1973.

Military career

Kvashnin graduated from the {{ill|Kurgan Machine Building Institute|ru|Курганский машиностроительный институт}} with specialist degree in engineering and the military department of this institute in 1969, received his officer commission as a lieutenant. He was drafted into active duty in July of the same year. He began serving in the army as deputy commander of a tank company in the 201st Motor Rifle Division. In July 1971, after the ending of his conscript military service, he decided to stay in armed forces as a volunteer and served until his discharge in September 2004.

In 1973, Kvashnin enrolled in the Malinovsky Tank Academy. After graduating three years later, Kvashnin became chief of staff of the 360th Tank Regiment of the 18th Guards Motor Rifle Division in June 1976, stationed in Czechoslovakia under the Central Group of Forces. He steadily rose to higher positions in Czechoslovakia, becoming regimental commander of the 360th in August 1978 and chief of staff of the 31st Tank Division of the group in February 1981. Kvashnin was promoted to command the 78th Tank Division of the Central Asian Military District in July 1982, and in 1987 was sent to the Soviet General Staff Academy for advanced studies.{{Cite web|url=http://ria.ru/spravka/20080514/107377899.html|title=Анатолий Васильевич Квашнин. Биография|date=14 May 2008}}

After graduating from the academy in 1989, he was appointed deputy commander of the 28th Combined Arms Army in July of that year.

From May 7 to August 24, 1992 — Commander of the 7th Red Banner Tank Army, Republic of Belarus.

In August 1992, he became deputy chief of the Main Operative Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Since February 1993, Kvashnin was first deputy chief of the Main Operative Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

During First Chechen War, Kvashnin took command of the Joint Grouping of Russian Forces in Chechnya in December 1994 following the relief of Colonel General {{ill|Alexey Mityukhin|ru|Митюхин, Алексей Николаевич}} for the initial Russian defeats, and remained in this position until 31 January 1995. In February 1995, he replaced Mityukhin as the commander of the North Caucasus Military District.

On 19 June 1997, Anatoly Kvashnin was appointed to the position of the Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces.{{cite act|type=Decree|index=629|date=19 June 1997|legislature=President of Russia|title=О Квашнине А.В.|language=ru|url=http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000503&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000070&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=19.06.1997&a8=629&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=46&y=10}} On 25 November 1997, he was promoted to the military rank of Army general. For leading the Russian operational headquarters directing operations against Chechen fighters during the 1999 Dagestan war, Kvashnin was made a Hero of the Russian Federation.{{Cite news |date=7 January 2022 |title=Биография Анатолия Квашнина |language=ru |work=TASS |url=https://tass.ru/info/13369163 |access-date=3 June 2022}}

As Chief of the Russian General Staff he had some success in reforming the command structure for the strategic deterrent forces, but feuded with Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov and many of his subordinates. Kvashnin also proved to be indecisive at times, he split then merged the Volga-Urals Military District, combined the Strategic Rocket Forces with the Russian Space Forces and the Early Warning System, then restored their independence.

On 10 June 2000, Kvashnin became a member of the Security Council of Russia.{{cite act|type=Decree|index=1097|date=10 June 2000|legislature=President of Russia|title=О назначении Квашнина А.В. членом Совета Безопасности Российской Федерации|language=ru|url=http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000503&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000070&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=10.06.2000&a8=1097&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=64&y=17}}

On 19 July 2004, Anatoly Kvashnin was released from the post of the Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces.{{cite act|type=Decree|index=912|date=19 July 2004|legislature=President of Russia|title=О Квашнине А.В.|language=ru|url=http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000503&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000070&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=19.07.2004&a8=912&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=56&y=20}} On 9 September 2004, Kvashnin was honorably discharged from military service.{{cite act|type=Decree|index=1151|date=9 September 2004|legislature=President of Russia|title=О Квашнине А.В.|language=ru|url=http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000503&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000070&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=09.09.2004&a8=1151&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=48&y=6}} He was listed in the inactive reserve until 2011 when he became a retired army general.

Civil career

File:Kvashnin (2007-05-15).jpg

On 9 September 2004, Kvashnin was appointed to the post of the Presidential Envoy to the Siberian Federal District{{cite act|type=Decree|index=1152|date=9 September 2004|legislature=President of Russia|title=О полномочном представителе Президента Российской Федерации в Сибирском федеральном округе|language=ru|url=http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000503&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000070&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=09.09.2004&a8=1152&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=52&y=15}} thus becoming a civilian official. On 20 December 2004, Kvashnin was promoted to the civilian service rank of 1st class Active State Councillor of the Russian Federation.{{cite act|type=Decree|index=1579|date=20 December 2004|legislature=President of Russia|title=О присвоении квалификационных разрядов федеральным государственным служащим Администрации Президента Российской Федерации|language=ru|url=http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000503&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000070&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=20.12.2004&a8=1579&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=74&y=17}}

On 9 September 2010, he was released from the post of the Presidential Envoy to the Siberian Federal District and was honorably discharged from civilian service.{{cite act|type=Decree|index=1115|date=9 September 2004|legislature=President of Russia|title=О Квашнине А.В.|language=ru|url=http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000503&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000070&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=09.09.2010&a8=1115&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=40&y=12}} On 20 September 2010, Kvashnin ceased to be a member of the Security Council of Russia.{{cite act|type=Decree|index=1143|date=20 September 2004|legislature=President of Russia|title=О внесении изменений в состав Совета Безопасности Российской Федерации, утверждённый Указом Президента Российской Федерации от 25 мая 2008 г. N 836|language=ru|url=http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000503&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000070&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=20.09.2010&a8=1143&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=41&y=14}}

Academic career

Kvashnin held a candidate of sciences degree in sociological sciences (1997), a doctor of sciences degree in military sciences (2004) and was a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Rocket and Artillery Sciences.{{cite web|title=Анатолий Квашнин: Биография|publisher=Lenta.ru|url=https://lenta.ru/lib/14160855}}

Later life and death

In the last years of his life Kvashnin lived in Novosibirsk with his family.

Kvashnin died on 7 January 2022, at the age of 75, from COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia.{{cite news|last=Traub|first=Alex|date=22 January 2022|title=Anatoly Kvashnin, Russian General in a Pivotal Era, Dies at 75|language=en-US|magazine=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/21/world/europe/anatoly-kvashnin-dead.html|access-date=2022-01-22|issn=0362-4331}} He was buried in the Federal Military Memorial Cemetery on 10 January 2022.{{cite web |url=https://tvzvezda.ru/news/2022110130-EBh8R.html|title=В Подмосковье прошло прощание с бывшим начальником Генштаба ВС РФ Квашниным|language=ru|publisher=tvzvezda.ru|date=10 January 2022|accessdate=7 February 2023}}

Honours and awards

{{Hero of Russia}} Hero of the Russian Federation (October 27, 1999)
Order of Merit for the Fatherland;
{{Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 2nd class}} 2nd Class (September 14, 2010)
{{Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 3rd class}} 3rd Class (July 19, 2004) – for great contribution to strengthening national defence and many years of conscientious service
{{Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 4th class}} 4th Class (2001)
{{Order of Alexander Nevsky (Russian Federation)}} Order of Alexander Nevsky (October 3, 2016)
{{Order of Courage (Russia)}} Order of Courage
{{Order of Honour (Russia)}} Order of Honour (August 21, 2006) – a contribution to strengthening Russian statehood and many years of conscientious service
{{Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR", 3rd class}} Order for Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR, 3rd Class (January 8, 1980)
{{Medal "In Commemoration of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow"}} Medal "In Commemoration of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow"
{{Medal "For Merit in the Conduct of the All-Russian Population Census"}} {{ill|Medal "For Merit in the Conduct of the All-Russian Population Census"|ru|Медаль «За заслуги в проведении Всероссийской переписи населения»}}
{{Jubilee Medal "In Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin"}} Jubilee Medal "In Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary since the Birth of Vladimir Il'ich Lenin"
{{Medal "Veteran of the Armed Forces of the USSR"}} Medal "Veteran of the Armed Forces of the USSR"
{{Medal "For the Development of Virgin Lands"}} Medal "For the Development of Virgin Lands"
{{Jubilee Medal "50 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR"}} Jubilee Medal "50 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR"
{{Jubilee Medal "60 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR"}} Jubilee Medal "60 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR"
{{Jubilee Medal "70 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR"}} Jubilee Medal "70 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR"
40px {{ill|Medal "For military valor"|ru|Медаль «За воинскую доблесть» (Минобороны)}}, 1st Class (Russian Ministry of Defence)
40px {{ill|Medal "June 12, 1999 Bosnia-Kosovo"|ru|Медаль «Участнику марш-броска 12 июня 1999 г. Босния — Косово»}} from nickel-silver for Number 1 (2000, Russian Ministry of Defence)
40px Two {{ill|Medal "For Strengthening Military Cooperation" (Russian Ministry of Defence){{!}}Medal "For Strengthening Military Cooperation"|ru|Медаль «За укрепление боевого содружества» (Минобороны России)}} (Russian Ministry of Defence)
40px {{ill|Medal "For diligence in carrying out engineering tasks"|ru|Медаль «За усердие при выполнении задач инженерного обеспечения»}} (Russian Ministry of Defence)
Order of the Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow (Russian Orthodox Church, 2000)
Honorary Citizen of Makhachkala (2000)

Foreign awards:

60px Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour (France, 2004)
60px Order of the Yugoslav Star (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, 1999)

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20060318144912/http://research.rencap.com/eng/government/government_detail04.asp Biography of Kvashnin from Renaissance Capital]