Alexander Vladimirovich Dvornikov was born on August 22, 1961 in Ussuriysk (Primorsky Territory).
He studied at the Ussuri School No. 29, then entered the Ussuri Suvorov Military School. The teachers who taught Suvorovite Sasha Dvornikov still work here.
From the memoirs of the history teacher M. L. Kiriyenko:
It was a wonderful course. Thanks to the company commander and the platoon commander, the boys studied well. There were no problems with discipline either. Alexander was the deputy platoon leader. He studied without triples, was a member of the shooting school team, was an excellent swimmer and skier, and always stood up for his friends.
By the way, once Maria Lavrentyevna Kiriyenko said to Dvornikov, a Suvorovite: “Be a general for you, Sasha!” Her words turned out to be prophetic. But that was later. And then, in 1978, a graduate of the second company, Alexander Dvornikov, entered the Moscow Higher Combined Arms Command School, after which, in 1982, he served in the Far Eastern Military District as a platoon commander, company commander, and battalion chief of staff.
In 1991 he graduated from the Military Academy. M. V. Frunze, after which he served in the Western Group of Forces as a deputy, and from 1992 to 1994. commander of 154 omsb Berlin brigade.
From 01/30/1995 - Chief of Staff, Deputy Commander of 248 MSP 10 Guards. TD MVO, and from 09/20/1996 - the commander of this regiment.
In April 1997 he was appointed commander of the 1st Guards. SME 2 Guards MSD MVO. A. V. Dvornikov held this position until March 2000.
From 2000 to 2003 served in the North Caucasian (now Southern) military district as division chief of staff, and later division commander.
In 2005 he graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and was appointed Deputy Commander of the Army, later Chief of Staff of the Army in the Siberian Military District.
From June 2008 to January 2011 - Commander of the 5th Combined Arms Army of the Far Eastern Military District, then until April 2012 served as Deputy Commander of the Eastern Military District.
In May 2012, by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, he was appointed Chief of Staff - First Deputy Commander of the Central Military District.
Since September 2015, Colonel General A.V. Dvornikov has been the commander of the Russian group of troops in Syria.
The successful actions of the Russian army in the Syrian Arab Republic as part of Operation Retribution were highly appreciated by the Russian leadership. On March 17, 2016, President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin presented A.V. Dvornikov with the Gold Star of the Hero of the Russian Federation.
In July 2016, Colonel General A.V. Dvornikov was appointed Commander of the Southern Military District.
Hero of the Russian Federation, awarded the orders "For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" III degree, "For Military Merit", "For Services to the Fatherland" IV degree with swords, the Order of Courage, as well as many medals. He is an honorary citizen of the city of Ussuriysk.
The Southern Military District has a new commander. At a conference call at the National Center for Defense Control of the Russian Federation, held on Friday, July 1, 2016, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu said that the duties of the commander of the troops of the Southern Military District would be performed by Colonel General Alexander Dvornikov. The former commander of the district, Colonel General Alexander Galkin transferred to work in the central office of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
Where will the former commander go?
Recall that the Southern Military District is one of the most important for the country in a strategic sense. It is also the most belligerent district. It was on its servicemen that the main burden fell during the numerous local wars and conflicts of the 1990s - the two Chechen wars, the Ossetian-Ingush conflict, anti-terrorist operations in Dagestan and other republics of the North Caucasus, the war with Georgia in 2008. The district divisions ensured the security of the reunification Crimea with the Russian Federation in 2014, serve at military bases in Abkhazia, Armenia, South Ossetia.
December 2010 to July 2016 the post of commander of the Southern Military District was occupied by Colonel General Alexander Viktorovich Galkin. Graduate of the Ordzhonikidze Higher Combined Arms Command School named after. Marshal of the Soviet Union A.I. Eremenko, Galkin began his service in command positions in motorized rifle units, then was educated at the Military Academy. M.V. Frunze and at the Military Academy of the General Staff, commanded a motorized rifle regiment and division, the 41st Combined Arms Army, and in 2010 was appointed commander of the then North Caucasian Military District. In 2014, Galkin was included in the EU sanctions list. As many experts note, there were no claims against the general from the higher command, he is only 58 years old, so he will most likely continue to serve in other responsible positions in the leadership of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. Which one is not yet known. Perhaps this issue will be cleared up when Colonel-General Galkin comes out of vacation.
For many years that Alexander Galkin commanded the North Caucasus Military District and the Southern Military District, people in the South of Russia managed to get used to him. Now both military personnel and civil authorities of the regions, territories and republics, on whose territory units of the Southern Military District are deployed, are meeting the new commander.
General Dvornikov has been "in the shadows" for a long time
Alexander Vladimirovich Dvornikov known as a real fighting general. That is how - as a military general - Sergei Shoigu introduced him.
- Colonel General Dvornikov Alexander Vladimirovich was admitted to the duties of commander of the troops of the Southern Military District. You all know him well. A combat general, an experienced leader, a professional in his field. I wish Alexander Vladimirovich success in this high and responsible position,” the Russian Minister of Defense noted at the meeting.
Dvornikov is called one of the most serious and promising Russian military leaders. It was he who led the military operation of the Russian armed forces in Syria, for which he received the Gold Star of the Hero of Russia from the hands of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. From April 2012 to the present, General Dvornikov has served as First Deputy Commander of the Central Military District.
He was born in 1961, and linked his fate with the armed forces as a teenager. In 1978, the future general graduated from the Ussuriysk Suvorov Military School, in 1982 - from the Moscow Higher Combined Arms Command School. Supreme Council. He commanded motorized rifle units in the Far East, then graduated from the Military Academy. M.V. Frunze and served in the Western Group of Forces, in the Moscow and North Caucasian military districts, where he commanded a motorized rifle regiment and division.
After graduating from the Military Academy of the General Staff, he was deputy commander, chief of staff and commander of the combined arms army. Prior to his appointment to the Central Military District, he served as Deputy Commander of the Eastern Military District. General Dvornikov was awarded the orders "For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" 3rd degree, "For Military Merit", "For Merit to the Fatherland" 4th degree with swords, the Order of Courage.
For a long time, General Dvornikov preferred to remain "in the shadows", did not like exposure in the media. His name was rarely mentioned in the Russian mass media. Perhaps one of the few mentions was the publications in early 2015 - then General Dvornikov, who served as the first deputy commander of the troops of the Central Military District and headed the headquarters of the district, was predicted to be appointed to the post of commander of the Central Military District, since it was expected that his immediate commander, Colonel General Vladimir Zarudnitsky will be appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation. However, the commander-in-chief of the VKS was appointed commander-in-chief of the Air Force, Colonel General Viktor Bondarev, and generals Zarudnitsky and Dvornikov remained at their posts.
Syria brought the Star of the Hero and the military district
The real turning point in the career of the general was the command of the Russian armed forces involved in the military operation in Syria. "In Syria" General Dvornikov was appointed in September 2015 - in one of the most difficult periods in the history of the operation. It was at this time that relations between the Russian Federation and Turkey deteriorated sharply, many analysts made predictions about a possible invasion of Turkish troops into Syria. In this case, conflict situations with the Russian group were not ruled out.
Appointment to the post of commander of a grouping in Syria is a very responsible mission, and the fact that Dvornikov was entrusted with it testified to a high degree of trust in him both from Defense Minister Shoigu and personally from President Vladimir Putin. During the Syrian operation, the Russian armed forces did not suffer heavy losses, and their actions to destroy the forces and means of terrorists were recognized as very effective. Of course, this also played a role in the further fate of the military general. The general Russian public learned about the colonel-general after he was awarded the Hero of Russia star by President Putin. The newspapers started talking about the fact that Alexander Dvornikov, most likely, will go on promotion. They wondered what position would be the general's next job, predicted his appointment to the General Staff. But, as it turned out, the colonel-general will head one of the country's most important military districts.
Incidentally, promotions have already become traditional for Russian generals involved in the Syrian operation. Yes, Colonel General Andrey Kartapolov, in 2014-2015 who headed the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff and, according to media reports, was directly involved in the development of plans for the operation in Syria, was appointed to the post of commander of the Western Military District. Now General Dvornikov will head the Southern Military District.
The post of commander of the Southern Military District is largely not only military, but also political. Indeed, the “zone of responsibility” of the district includes such complex regions of the country as the Crimea and the North Caucasus, under its control - Transcaucasia and the border with the warring Donbass, “hot spots” in the Middle East. But the general, who has extensive life and combat experience, who did an excellent job in Syria, is likely to become a good commander for the troops of the Southern Military District. As for Syria, the grouping of Russian troops in this country is likely to be led by a lieutenant general Alexander Zhuravlev, former chief of staff of troops in Syria under Commander Dvornikov. Before his trip to Syria, General Zhuravlev, by the way, served as chief of staff of the Southern Military District.
Photo: ussurmedia.ruOfficer - officer strife. Some put on shoulder straps to serve the interests of Russia and proudly wear the rank of officer, while others have other interests: petty, selfish. Two Russian officers - Colonel General Dvornikov Alexander Vladimirovich and General Andrei Viktorovich Gurulev, as two poles of patriotism. The first put the Fatherland and the honor of the officer at the forefront, the second sits behind the back of the hero of the Russian Federation, hiding his dark deeds.
Andrey Gurulev, not knowing the anxieties and worries, made a dizzying military career thanks to the patronage of relatives and friends, at the age of forty he put on the epaulettes of a general. True, he was not destined to proudly wear the rank of officer: the story of the "conscript slaves" sent to work for a friend-general pretty much spoiled his biography.
Alexander Dvornikov went through a difficult path from a platoon commander to the commander of the troops of the Southern Military District, having been awarded the Gold Star of the Hero of the Russian Federation this summer. Their paths crossed when Gurulev was appointed Dvornikov's deputy.
The Southern Military District is not an easy place to serve, but Colonel General Dvornikov is serving in southern Russia for the first time. In 2000-2003 he served as chief of staff and commander of the 42nd motorized rifle division of the 58th Army, which was stationed in the combat area.
And so the Hero of Russia was entrusted with putting things in order in the district, because he can handle it. Proved. And there is enough work. So, this fall, military investigators opened several criminal cases against officials under articles for giving and receiving a bribe. A blow has been dealt to the reputation and prestige of military service.
It was not in vain that Dvornikov received the highest state award for leading the Syrian operation. The professional actions of the commander made it possible to turn the tide in the region in a matter of months. Now he has to purge the ranks in his homeland.
And what about his deputy? How did General Andrey Gurulev “distinguish himself” in the military field? Maybe he has secret talents as a commander? Special merits before the state? An ideal biography, at worst. Unfortunately no.
And what do we know about the deputy of the new commander of the Southern Military District?
Muscovite, comes from a military family. Father, Viktor Vasilyevich, retired lieutenant general. His father's colleague, Makarov Nikolai Egorovich, promoted Gurulev up the career ladder, being the commander of the troops of the Siberian Military District. However, from the officer in it only shoulder straps. Makarov's military reforms caused the greatest damage to the defense and army systems.
Everything seems to be as usual. Gurulev graduated from the Moscow Higher Combined Arms Command School in 1988, then the Combined Arms Academy of the RF Armed Forces, and in 2010 the Military Academy of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces. He served in the Volga Military District, in the Western Group of Forces, the Volga-Ural and Siberian Military Districts.
In 2007, he was promoted to the rank of Major General. By the way, in those days, a simple officer could only dream of entering the Academy of the General Staff. This is not a pleasure for ordinary officers. For the elect.
In early 2012, Gurulev was appointed commander of the 58th Army of the Southern Military District, and in 2013 a criminal case was opened against him on charges of abuse of power. And here the most interesting begins.
Gurulev, when he was chief of staff and deputy commander of military unit 06705, was involved in a dirty story. He was illegally seconded to the capital two conscript soldiers with an ensign into "labor slavery" to Lieutenant General Nikolai Pereslegin, who at that time was a student of the Military Academy of the General Staff.
They carried out Pereslegin's personal assignments, assembled furniture in his apartment and were registered at the same time in the service, absent from the military unit for more than a year and a half. Gurulev hid this information, forging orders for departure/arrival on holidays and business trips, assigning them regular military ranks.
Could Gurulev refuse a benefactor? Moreover, Pereslegin was also a relative of Makarov through his wife. After Pereslegin was transferred to a new duty station in the Southern Military District, he pulled Gurulev along with him. There he quickly climbed into the place of the commander, but, as we see, not for long.
This story made a lot of noise, however, the case was dismissed due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Knowledgeable people say that connections and money helped Gurulev avoid criminal punishment. Got off lightly.
By the way, to this day, the company LLC VentMontazhService-Tver, implicated in the scandal, is working under the leadership of Pereslegin's daughter, Anna, however, under a different name: SPIGO Engineering Company LLC. Here, Gurulev's subordinates were illegally registered.
The company actively participates in bidding and receives government contracts, despite the huge accounts payable.
As you can see, Pereslegin decided not to give up money and connections. However, the desire for comfort and money is characteristic of this entire company. The triad "Gurulev-Pereslegin-Makarov" existed for a long time, and you should not think that everything is over.
Andrey Gurulev remained in military service and was appointed to the post of deputy commander of the troops of the Southern Military District. Is there any doubt that intrigues will be weaved behind the back of the hero of the Russian Federation, in an attempt to "sit" him? Dvornikov is an honest officer who will not make a deal with his conscience, which means that he is a danger to corrupt officials in the ranks of the Armed Forces.
Colonel General, look around! Look closely at those who hide behind your back. Until you eradicate the infection next to you, you cannot restore order in the troops. Surely even now Gurulev is selling conscripts without fear of punishment.
Rostov-Syrian castling
By order of the head of the military department, Sergei Shoigu, Colonel-General Alexander Dvornikov assumed the duties of commander of the troops of the Southern Military District. Previously, he commanded a grouping of Russian troops in Syria. And from the Don capital, the first deputy commander of the Southern Military District, Lieutenant-General Alexander Zhuravlev, went to this belligerent Arab country, who became the new commander of the grouping of Russian troops in Syria.
Colonel General Alexander Dvornikov. Photo: Konstantin Kukharenko.
As for the former commander of the Southern Military District, Colonel-General Alexander Galkin, he does not resign, but will continue to serve in the central apparatus of the Russian Defense Ministry.
Alexander Vladimirovich Dvornikov is a military general, an experienced leader, a professional in his field. I wish him success in this high and responsible position,” Sergei Shoigu said at the meeting, introducing the new head of the Southern Military District.
A little about the new commander. Alexander Dvornikov was born on August 22, 1961 in Ussuriysk. A graduate of the Ussuriysk Suvorov Military School, the Moscow Higher All-Arms Command School named after the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR, the Military Academy named after M. Frunze and the Military Academy of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces. He passed all command positions, starting from the commander of a platoon, company. He served in the Far Eastern, Moscow, Siberian military districts, the Western Group of Forces, from 2000 to 2003 he served in the North Caucasian Military District (the current Southern Military District) as chief of staff, and then as commander of a motorized rifle division. So the Southern Military District is by no means a stranger to the new commander.
In recent years, Alexander Dvornikov commanded an army in the Far Eastern Military District, was deputy commander of the Eastern Military District, chief of staff - first deputy commander of the Central Military District. From the beginning of the military operation in Syria, he was the commander of the grouping of the Russian Armed Forces in this Arab state.
On March 17, 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin presented Colonel General Alexander Dvornikov with the Gold Star of the Hero of the Russian Federation. In addition, the new commander of the Southern Military District was awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree with swords, courage, "For Military Merit", "For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR", III degree, and many state and departmental medals.
Having taken up his duties, the commander held a meeting with officials of the district headquarters, at which he determined the immediate tasks facing the military command and control bodies. The priority ones are the holding of the strategic command and staff exercise "Kavkaz-2016", the commissioning of infrastructure facilities and the start of planned combat training of the newly formed 150th Idritsko-Berlin motorized rifle division stationed in the Rostov region.
This connection will be located at the Kuzminsky, Kadamovsky and Millerovo test sites. By the way, the entire infrastructure of the division is being built from scratch. The construction sites are in full swing. Builders are pouring the foundations of facilities, installing headquarters, barracks, canteens and sports facilities, laying roads, asphalting the territory of the parade ground. At the same time, housing is being built for officers, ensigns, and contract servicemen from among the rank and file and non-commissioned officers. Moreover, apartments are being built with an increased area, high-quality finishes, plumbing and kitchen furniture. The dining room, designed for 500 seats, is already ready to receive the first visitors.
The new commander managed to visit some formations and military units of the Southern Military District stationed in the Crimea, Abkhazia, North Ossetia-Alania, Chechnya, having personally familiarized himself with the state of affairs in the troops. Alexander Dvornikov listened to local officials and held working meetings with regional leaders. For example, in Sevastopol, Colonel General Alexander Dvornikov listened to the commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Alexander Vitko, about the state of combat readiness of the Black Sea Fleet, got acquainted with the basing of ship formations and the activities of the headquarters of the Crimean naval base, visited the location of a separate coastal defense brigade, examined the training grounds used by the Black Sea Fleet in the Crimean Federal District.
Alexander Dvornikov promised to support and increase the glorious traditions of the North Caucasus, and now the Southern Military District.