Currently, the post of chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is 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 considered to be an outstanding military leader of modern Russia. He began his military career in Soviet times. Having received a brilliant education, Valery Vasilievich more than once proved himself to be a competent and prudent commander, able to bear responsibility for decisions made. Having vast experience participating in military operations and military operations, he proudly bears the title of Russian officer.
Childhood V. Gerasimov
In 1955, on September 8, Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov was born in an ordinary working-class family in Kazan, the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (currently the Republic of Tatarstan). In his childhood, little Valery decided that he would become a military man. Of particular interest in military service was the tale of his uncle, who during the USSR war against fascist Germany (1941-1945) was the commander of a tank company. Gerasimov Valery Vasilievich very much loved the works of Konstantin Simonov, which he read excitedly. Already in adulthood, Valery Vasilyevich warmly recalls 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 Suvorov schools were transferred to a two-year term of study. Four long years of waiting followed, which, admittedly, only strengthened Valery Vasilyevich’s desire to become a real officer.
Studying at 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 he graduated with a gold medal in 1977. But this was not the end of the young officer’s pursuit of self-improvement. 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, distinguishing organizational skills, V.V. Gerasimov, already in the rank of colonel of the Russian army, in 1995 was sent to training courses of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces, where he also proved to be among the best students.
The formation of a military career in Soviet times
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 General Staff Academy, he was sent to serve in the Baltic Military District. Valery Vasilievich had to hone his military skills on the territory of military formations deployed 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 change in the political system that took place in 1991, Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov headed the headquarters and was also deputy commander of the motorized rifle division of the Baltic military circle. In 1997, he was transferred to military service in the Moscow Military District and took the post of first deputy army commander.
From March 2003 to April 2005, Valery Vasilievich was the chief of staff - first deputy commander of the troops of the Far Eastern Military Circuit (Khabarovsk). After that, he was transferred to the post of head of the Main Directorate of Combat Training and Service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, having worked until the end of 2006.
Prior to being appointed chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Valery Vasilievich worked as first deputy commander of the troops of the North Caucasus Military Circuit (December 2006 - December 2007), then the troops of the Leningrad Military Circuit (December 2007 - February 2009), the troops of the Moscow Military Circuit (February 2009 - December 2010) Until the end of April 2012, he served as deputy chief of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces. Valery Vasilievich carried out command of the troops of the Central Military District from April to November 2012.
In early November 2012, V.V. 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 prominent Russian military commanders went through a harsh school of life and combat trials during the Chechen wars. This fate did not pass Valery Vasilyevich. From 1993 to 1997, he was the commander of the motorized rifle division of the Northwest Group of Forces. He also served in the North Caucasus Military District from 1998 to 2003. Participated in counter-terrorism operations. Aware of the most difficult military situation in the North Caucasus, he chose the 58th army, heading the headquarters. On duty, Valery Vasilievich dealt with issues of staffing the combat units of the army, organized combat training and provided commanders and ordinary soldiers with the necessary material means. Soon, Valery Gerasimov was entrusted with the leadership 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 point blank from grenade launchers and other small arms. The group responded with oncoming fire until helicopters arrived. However, the bandits were soon able to prove that the Russian soldiers did not like to remain in debt. About a week later, they lured the militants into their trap: over ten bandits were destroyed, 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, and reconnaissance and artillery did an excellent job. And most importantly, this battle cost no casualties. But for the bandits, this operation was a big surprise.
An operation in the Argun Gorge to block a section of the Itum-Kale-Shatili road and part of the state border with Georgia during one of the counter-terrorism operations also became an equally responsible task for V.V. Gerasimov. At the first stage, the surrounding area was examined, equipment and weapons were delivered. Next, the main task was carried out - tactical training of the airborne assault, training of fighters.
Valery Vasilievich gained considerable experience in organizing and conducting military operations in the mountains in the south-west of Chechnya, among the ruins of the town of Sakinzhili, in the city of Komsomolsk, destroying the formations of militants.
According to the testimony of colleagues, even in the most difficult situations, Valery Vasilievich did not lose his presence of spirit, was calm, focused and prudent. In the course of hostilities, he considered not only the destruction of the maximum number of militants as the main task, but also the reduction of losses in the personnel of his army.
Family life
No less successfully took place in the personal and family life of Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov. The wife of the general for many years is his reliable support. Married couple brings up a son.
Awards V.V. Gerasimova
For military merits, fidelity to duty and the Fatherland, General Gerasimov Valery Vasilyevich was awarded many state awards: Order "For Services to the Fatherland" IV degree, Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" III degree, medal "For Military Valor" I degree, medals in honor of the 60th anniversary and 70th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the USSR. He was awarded with the Ministry of Defense medals “200 years to the Ministry of Defense”, “For Distinction in Military Service”, I degree, “For Impeccable Service”, II and III 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 of relatives and colleagues about the general
A military man to the marrow of bones and to the roots of his hair, an experienced commander and a reliable companion - such is Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov to his colleagues. The biography and awards of the general are a clear confirmation of his great merits to the Fatherland. According to the journalists who worked next to him during operations in the North Caucasus, he made only the most positive impression. Simple human qualities - modesty, truthfulness, it combines along with a business, prudent approach to solving a combat mission, the ability to correctly and objectively assess the situation.
As S. K. Shoigu personally noted, Valery Vasilyevich is respected as a person and as a military leader. He has passed a difficult life path from a cadet to an army general, has invaluable experience in the General Staff and in the real conditions of military operations. In the working environment, Valery Vasilievich is highly respected, his opinion always has authority. The top military leadership, entrusting him with the fulfillment of any responsible task, was fully confident that V.V. Gerasimov would bring any matter to a successful conclusion.
According to one of the military leaders, the qualities possessed by V.V. Gerasimov are characteristic only of highly educated people.
