Colonel-General Alexander Dvornikov will become acting commander of the Southern Military District. This was announced on Friday, July 1, by the head of the Ministry of Defense, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, at a conference call at the National Defense Control Center of the Russian Federation.

According to RIA Novosti, the former commander of the Southern Military District, Colonel General Alexander Galkin, will continue to serve in the central apparatus of the Ministry of Defense.

Colonel-General Alexander Dvornikov previously commanded the Russian group of troops in Syria.

“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,” Sergei Shoigu said.

Curriculum vitae

Alexander Dvornikov graduated from the Ussuri Suvorov Military School in 1978 and entered the Moscow Higher All-Arms Command School named after the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR. After graduating 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 Frunze Military Academy, after which he served as deputy battalion commander in the Western Group of Forces.

From 1992 to 1994 he was the commander of the 154th separate motorized rifle battalion of the 6th Guards separate motorized rifle Berlin Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky Brigade.

From 1995 to 2000 - chief of staff of the regiment, then commander of a motorized rifle regiment in the Moscow Military District.

From 2000 to 2003 - service in the North Caucasian Military District as chief of staff, and later commander of a motorized rifle division.

In 2005 he graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and was appointed Deputy Army Commander, later Chief of Staff of the 36th Army in the Siberian Military District.

From 2008 to 2010 - commander of the 5th Army in the Far Eastern Military District.

From January 2011 to April 2012 - Deputy Commander of the Eastern Military District.

Since April 2012 - Chief of Staff, First Deputy Commander of the Central Military District.

Since the beginning of the Russian military operation in Syria in September 2015, he has been the commander of the grouping of the Armed Forces in Syria.

On March 17, 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin presented Colonel General Alexander Dvornikov with the Gold Star of the Hero of the Russian Federation. The circumstances of the feat are not reported.

The Southern Military District (formerly known as the North Caucasian) is celebrating its centenary these May days: the most important military association, which has invariably been at the forefront of events over the past three decades, is both hot spots in the Transcaucasus, and one after the other two wars in Chechnya, and constant anti-terrorist operations on the territory of all republics, and the August military conflict with Georgia, and now the neighborhood with troubled Ukraine, whose leaders too often threaten Russia, looking at NATO approaching our borders.

And the people in uniform serving today in the Southern Military District, awarded in February 2018 by the President of Russia with the Order of Suvorov, are those on whose combat readiness and ability to wield weapons and modern equipment the defense capability of the whole country depends.

That's all we decided to talk about on the eve of the holiday with Commander of the Southern Military District, Hero of Russia, Colonel General Alexander Dvornikov.

Alexander Vladimirovich, for starters, since such an event, the district should mark it with something memorable, impressing both friends, as they say, and enemies, right?

I think it will be so, the celebration of our anniversary will definitely make an impression. For everyone. This is the May 5 parade in Rostov, and a demonstration - for the first time in modern history - near the embankment in the Don River of the ships of the Caspian Flotilla (including anti-sabotage and artillery boats, raid tug and minesweeper) and the Black Sea Fleet (anti-sabotage boat "Raptor" and landing boat DK - 199 from Novorossiysk). Plus the large landing ship "Caesar Kunikov" in Azov ...

Since we are talking about military equipment, I think it is today, when the topic of anti-missile defense is being discussed in the media in Russia, and even more so abroad - I am talking about the use of these systems during missile attacks in Syria: they were able to repel NATO attack or failed, successful or not. So, against the background of all this, given the geographical location of the Southern Military District, the question is often raised, how is our country in the south protected in this regard?

Reliably. I can assure you - reliably. Today, the troops of our district, of course, are very actively implementing the experience of conducting combat operations gained in the course of modern armed conflicts, including Syria ...

- ... Which is not surprising, given that you led the Russian military group there for almost a year ...

Yes, and that also plays a part, of course. So, in the process of combat training, tasks are worked out as part of reconnaissance firing and strike contours, using various types of combat maneuvering. Tactical exercises of motorized rifle and tank units are carried out in cooperation with army aviation and with the involvement of crews of unmanned aerial vehicles. And, already directly answering your question, the scale of combat training of the Air Force and Air Defense formations of the district is growing every year. A vivid example of this is the unprecedented joint live-fire exercise with formations of the 4th Air Force and Air Defense Army, which was held in the spring of 2017 in the Eastern Theater of Operations. There were also eight-hour non-stop flights of operational-tactical aviation with refueling in the air, and strikes with aviation weapons, and even landing a heavy fighter on a narrow highway.

- In the meantime, let me be more specific: how secure is the Southern Military District today in terms of weapons?

Today, all the most modern aviation equipment and the latest means of air defense are in the capable hands of the servicemen of the Air Force and Air Defense Association. Let's say that the flight units and air defense deployed in the Crimea, in general, are one hundred percent provided with the latest weapons. At military airfields, modern Su-30SM fighters, Ka-52 Alligator and Mi-28N Night Hunter helicopters stand ready to perform a combat mission. The world's best S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile systems and Pantsir-S anti-aircraft missile and gun systems are on combat duty. Plus, the arrival of new submarines and ships in the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla allowed us to significantly increase the intensity of combat training of personnel.

- Yes, lately, we really often learn about your combat training...

Because a lot depends on it. It is important to know not only in theory how and what is being done, but also to have practical skills in using new generation weapons - including, for example, I am talking now about launches of Caliber long-range cruise missiles both from the latest frigates and from boards of modern submarines against land and sea targets.

And yet, it is clear that the best test, be that as it may, is the participation in real operations. You, comrades colonel-general, know this very well - by the example of the actions already mentioned in our conversation in the Syrian Arab Republic.

Perhaps so. I'll tell you today, something that, it seems, has not been said so frankly before. It was the troops of the Southern Military District that played a key role in the events of the "Crimean Spring": in March 2014, the fighters of the special forces of the district acted as guarantors of the security of the expression of the will of the population of Crimea and the Hero City of Sevastopol. And since September 2015, the military personnel of the Southern Military District, as part of a group of troops, have been taking part in the fight against international terrorism on the territory of the SAR. In 2016, the Syrian armed forces, supported by Russian aviation, managed to turn the tide in the protracted war and regain control over the territories occupied by militants.

- The fleet worked there, as far as I remember, very cool, right?

Yes, that's right: the crews of ships and submarines of both the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla played an important role in defeating foreign mercenaries. Precise strikes by the “Caliber” of the naval forces of our district on the bases of the terrorist groups of ISIS * did their job. And maintaining law and order in the de-escalation zones in Syria and ensuring the protection of the port of Tartus is organized by the forces of our military police units.

Combat "turntables". Photo: press service of the Southern Military District.

But there were losses...

Alas, it is. Sometimes our servicemen perform military duty at the cost of their own lives. Like, for example, sailor Alexander Pozynich from Novocherkassk, who, saving the crew of a downed plane, died in battle. As an honored pilot and a brave officer, Hero of Russia Colonel Ryafagat Khabibullin, who was shot down by terrorists and died.

One more question, Alexander Vladimirovich. Since our Western, as they say, "partners" are moving their bases so hard, without hesitation, to the east, we are here, in this region, how can we answer?

Indeed, we also have our own presence outside the Russian Federation, to which we assign a very important role in stability in the Southwestern strategic direction - I mean the military bases located in Armenia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. They, of course, are also in constant combat readiness, capable of fulfilling their mission at any moment.

Born on August 22, 1961 in Ussuriysk, Primorsky Krai. Graduate of the Moscow Higher Combined Arms Command School, Military Academy. Frunze, Military Academy of the General Staff.

After school, he began his service in the Far Eastern Military District - as a platoon commander, then - became a company commander, battalion chief of staff.

From 1991 to 1995, he was deputy and then commander of a motorized rifle battalion in the Western Group of Forces. Then five years in the Moscow military district. In 2000-2003 - in the North Caucasian Military District.

After the Academy of the General Staff, he was appointed to the post of Deputy Army Commander, and later Chief of Staff of the Army in the Siberian Military District. Next - the commander in the Far Eastern Military District.

In April 2012, he was appointed First Deputy Commander of the Central Military District.

From September 2015 to June 2016 - commander of the Russian group of troops in Syria.

Since September 2016 - Commander of the Southern Military District.

Hero of Russia, awarded the orders "For Merit to the Fatherland" III and IV degrees with swords, "For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" III degree, "For Military Merit", the Order of Courage and many medals.

FROM THE HISTORY OF THE SOUTH VO (SKVO)

In general, the Caucasian Military District, which became the prototype of the modern Southern Military District, began to emerge as early as 1816, when General Yermolov created a separate Georgian, later Caucasian Corps, on the basis of the 19th and 20th Infantry Divisions.

After the October Revolution of 1917, to protect the new state in the fight against interventionists and internal opposition, on May 4, 1918, the North Caucasian Military District was established by the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars, the first head of which was Lieutenant General of the tsarist army, military theorist, full member of the Russian Geographical Society Andrei Evgenievich Snesarev. The troops of the district defeated Krasnov's Don White Cossack Army, defended Tsaritsyn, liberated Donbass and Rostov, and on a wide front reached the coast of the Sea of ​​Azov, practically destroying the troops of Denikin's Volunteer Army.

In 1920, the formations of the North Caucasus Military District carried out a number of successful operations in the Transcaucasus, assisting Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia in liberation from foreign invaders and nationalists. In 1921, when the future Marshal of the Soviet Union Kliment Voroshilov was in charge of the district, numerous gangs operating in the North Caucasus were liquidated.

Fighters of the North Caucasus Military District took part in the fighting on Lake Khasan and the Khalkhin-Gol River (22nd Krasnodar and 32nd Infantry Divisions).

During the Great Patriotic War, North Caucasian warriors smashed the enemy near Moscow and Stalingrad, in the Caucasus, in the Crimea and near Kursk, liberated Ukraine and Belarus, reached Berlin. The success of the counter-offensive near Moscow is to a large extent connected with the events that unfolded on the territory of the North Caucasus Military District. And the Battle of Stalingrad was the decisive battle of the entire Second World War.

A special page in the history of the district is the 90s. This is the Ossetian-Ingush conflict, when the fighters of the North Caucasus Military District actually extinguished the hotbed of extremism, and both the Chechen campaigns, and Dagestan, and South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

In February 2018, the Red Banner Southern Military District was awarded the Order of Suvorov by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

*ISIS is a terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation.

Photo: ussurmedia.ru

Officer - 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 office. 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, and, therefore, 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.

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.