Viktor Astapov
Viktor Astapov | |
---|---|
Lieutenant General | |
Commands held | 7th Guards Mountain Air Assault Division 49th Combined Arms Army |
Awards | Order of Courage Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" Third Class Order of Military Merit |
Viktor Borisovich Astapov (
Astapov entered the military after studying at the Ryazan Guards Higher Airborne Command School, serving in a regimental reconnaissance company of the Soviet Airborne Forces. Rising through the ranks, he saw service during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, subsequently becoming commander of a paratrooper battalion after the breakup of the Soviet Union. He saw action in the First and Second Chechen Wars as deputy commander of the 21st Airborne Brigade, and later as commander of the 51st Guards Airborne Regiment . By the mid-2000s, he was the commander of the 7th Guards Mountain Air Assault Division, and after studies at the Military Academy of the General Staff, became chief of staff and first deputy commander of the Siberian Military District.
Astapov went on to serve in senior staff positions in the Southern and Western Military Districts, rising to the rank of lieutenant-general, before becoming a deputy commander of the navy, with responsibility for the coastal troops. Over his career, he has received a number of awards, including the Order of Courage, the Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" Third Class, and the Order of Military Merit.
Early life and service
Astapov was born on 9 December 1962 in
Commands and Chechen operations
Astapov then carried out studies at the Frunze Military Academy, graduating in 1996 and becoming deputy commander of the 21st Airborne Brigade, which was seconded to Chechnya during the First and Second Chechen Wars.[1][2] In 1999 he was given command of the 51st Guards Airborne Regiment , and took charge of the regiment's withdrawal from Chechnya. Despite continuing attacks on withdrawing Russian forces, Astapov brought off the withdrawal with minimal losses and was awarded the Order of Courage and the Medal "For Distinction in Military Service", first and second classes.[2] He then became the commander of the 7th Guards Mountain Air Assault Division between 2005 and 2007.[1][3] He graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces in 2009 and was then appointed to the post of chief of staff and first deputy commander of the Siberian Military District.[1]
Senior staff appointments
From January 2011 Astapov served as chief of staff and deputy commander of the
In February 2019 Astapov was moved from the position of chief of staff of the Western Military District to the post of a deputy commander of the navy, with responsibility for the
Awards and personal life
Over his career, Astapov has been awarded the Order of Courage, the Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" Third Class, and the Order of Military Merit, as well as a number of medals.[1] He is married, with a son.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Начальником штаба Западного военного округа назначен генерал-лейтенант Виктор Астапов" (in Russian). Ministry of Defence. 21 June 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "День защитника Отечества Комдив" (in Russian). Volnaya Kuban. 26 February 2006. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- ^ "7-я гвардейская десантно-штурмовая (горная) Краснознаменная ордена Кутузова 2-й степени дивизия" (in Russian). Union of Russian Paratroopers. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- ^ "Назначен новый командующий 49 общевойсковой армией Южного военного округа" (in Russian). Ministry of Defence. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- ^ "Поклонимся великим тем годам..." (in Russian). Stavropol Presidential Cadet School. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- ^ "Командующий войсками Южного военного округа вручил генеральские погоны ряду военнослужащих" (in Russian). Ministry of Defence. 24 February 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- ^ "Назначен новый заместитель командующего войсками Южного военного округа" (in Russian). Ministry of Defence. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- Rambler.ru. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- ^ "В Санкт-Петербурге состоялась встреча командующего войсками Западного военного округа с министром обороны Японии" (in Russian). Ministry of Defence. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- ^ a b c Ramm, Aleksei; Lavrov, Anton; Stepovoy, Bogdan (23 December 2019). "Звезды под елкой: Минобороны провело крупную кадровую ротацию" (in Russian). Izvestia. Retrieved 21 January 2020.