Victor Yakunin

{{Short description|Soviet-Russian diplomat}}

Victor Pavlovich Yakunin (born 18 January 1931) is a former Soviet-Russian diplomat who served as the Soviet Ambassador to Pakistan from 1985 until 1993.{{cite web|last1=iPravo|title=About Yakunin V.P.release from duties of the Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan - the Russian Legal Portal|url=http://en.ipravo.info/russia2/law16/160.htm|website=en.ipravo.info|publisher=iPravo|accessdate=21 December 2016|format=.info|date=29 April 1993|quote=Exempt Yakunin Victor Pavlovich from duties of the Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in connection with retirement.}} He was preceded by Vitaly S. Smirnov and his tenure is considered to be notable in the events including the death and state funeral of President Zia-ul-Haq and witnessing the general elections held in 1988 that saw Benazir Bhutto's becoming the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Soviet retreat from Afghanistan in 1989, and the normalization of foreign relations between Pakistan and Russia.{{cite web|last1=staff writer at Shreveport|title=The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana on July 25, 1988 · Page 2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/217122176/|website=Newspapers.com|publisher=Shreveport|accessdate=21 December 2016}}

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, he was succeeded as Russian Ambassador to Pakistan and eventually retired from the diplomatic services in 1993.{{cite web|last1=Consulate-General of Russia in Karachi|title=ГЕНЕРАЛЬНОЕ КОНСУЛЬСТВО РОССИИ В КАРАЧИ|url=http://www.rusconsulkarachi.mid.ru/RUSSIA-PAKISTAN.htm|website=www.rusconsulkarachi.mid.ru|publisher=Consulate-General of Russia in Karachi|accessdate=21 December 2016}}

During his tenure, he also successfully worked towards repatriation to Soviet soldiers held as POWs by the Afghan Mujaheedin and safely returning them back to Soviet Union in 1989–91.{{cite news|last1=Yousafza|first1=Rahimullah|authorlink1=Rahimullah Yusufzai|title=Soviet Afghan war POWs freed|url=http://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/11/27/Soviet-Afghan-war-POWs-freed/3301628146000/|accessdate=21 December 2016|work=UPI|agency=United Press International|publisher=United Press International, 1989|date=27 November 1989}}