There is a new commander in the Southern Military District. At a conference call at the National Defense Management Center of the Russian Federation, held on Friday, July 1, 2016, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Army General Sergei Shoigu announced that the duties of commander of the Southern Military District will be performed by Colonel General Alexander Dvornikov. Former district commander, 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?

Let us remember that the Southern Military District is one of the most important for the country in strategic terms. This is also the most warring district. It was on its military personnel that the main burden fell during numerous local wars and conflicts of the 1990s - 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. District units ensured the security of reunification Crimea with the Russian Federation in 2014, serving at military bases in Abkhazia, Armenia, South Ossetia.

From December 2010 to July 2016 the post of commander of the Southern Military District was held 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 serving in command positions in motorized rifle units, then received his education at the Military Academy. M.V. Frunze and the Military Academy of the General Staff, commanded a motorized rifle regiment and division, the 41st Combined Arms Army, and in 2010 he was appointed commander of the troops of the then North Caucasus Military District. In 2014, Galkin was added to the EU sanctions list. As many experts note, there were no complaints 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 ones are not yet known. Perhaps this issue will become clearer when Colonel General Galkin returns from vacation.

Over the many years that Alexander Galkin commanded the North Caucasian 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 welcoming the new commander.

General Dvornikov has been “in the shadows” for a long time

Alexander Vladimirovich Dvornikov known as a real military general. This is exactly how Sergei Shoigu introduced him - as a military general.

— Colonel General Alexander Vladimirovich Dvornikov was allowed to perform the duties of commander of the troops of the Southern Military District. You all know him well. A military 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 combat 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 served as first deputy commander of the troops of the Central Military District.

He was born in 1961, and connected his destiny with the armed forces as a teenager. In 1978, the future general graduated from the Ussuri Suvorov Military School, and 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 Caucasus 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. Before 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 Services to the Fatherland”, 4th degree with swords, and the Order of Courage.

For a long time, General Dvornikov preferred to remain “in the shadows” and did not like exposure in the media. His name was rarely mentioned in the Russian media. Perhaps one of the few references were publications at the beginning of 2015 - then General Dvornikov, who held the post of 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 Russian Aerospace Forces. However, Colonel General Victor Bondarev, and generals Zarudnitsky and Dvornikov remained at their posts.

Syria brought the Hero's Star and military district

The real turning point in the general’s career was the command of the Russian armed forces involved in the military operation in Syria. General Dvornikov was assigned to “Syria” in September 2015, during 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 sharply deteriorated; many analysts made forecasts about a possible invasion of Turkish troops into Syria. In this case, conflict situations with the Russian group could not be ruled out.

The appointment to the post of commander of the group in Syria is a very responsible mission, and the fact that it was entrusted to Dvornikov testified to the high degree of confidence in him both on the part of Defense Minister Shoigu and personally on the part of President Vladimir Putin. During the Syrian operation, the Russian armed forces did not suffer large losses, and their actions to destroy terrorist forces and assets were considered very effective. Of course, this also played a role in the future 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 would most likely be promoted. They wondered what position would be the general's next duty station and predicted his appointment to the General Staff. But, as it turned out, the Colonel General will head one of the most important military districts in the country.

By the way, 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 Operations Directorate of the General Staff and took, according to media reports, direct participation 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, to a large extent, not only military, but also political. After all, the district’s “area of ​​responsibility” includes such complex regions of the country as Crimea and the North Caucasus; under its control are Transcaucasia and the border with the warring Donbass, “hot spots” in the Middle East. But a general who has extensive life and combat experience and who has coped well with his mission in Syria will most likely become a good commander for the troops of the Southern Military District. As for Syria, the group of Russian troops in this country will most likely be led by 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.

Officer - officer is different. 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 Alexander Vladimirovich Dvornikov 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.

Andrei Gurulev, not knowing any worries or worries, made a dizzying military career thanks to the patronage of relatives and friends, at the age of forty he put on general's shoulder straps. True, he was not destined to proudly bear 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 platoon commander to commander of the Southern Military District, being 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 a difficult place to serve, but this is not the first time Colonel General Dvornikov has served in the south of Russia. 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 restoring order in the area, because he can handle it. Proved. And there is enough work. Thus, this fall, military investigators opened several criminal cases against officials under articles for giving and receiving bribes. The reputation and prestige of military service has been dealt a blow.

It was not for nothing that Dvornikov received the highest state award for leading the Syrian operation. The professional actions of the commander made it possible to turn the situation in the region in a matter of months. Now he has to clean up the ranks in his homeland.
What about his deputy? How did General Andrei Gurulev “distinguish himself” in the military field? Maybe he has secret talents as a commander? Special services to 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, Nikolai Egorovich Makarov, promoted Gurulev up the career ladder, being the commander of the Siberian Military District troops. However, he only wears shoulder straps from an officer. 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 from the Combined Arms Academy of the Russian Armed Forces, and in 2010 from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian 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 awarded the rank of major general. By the way, in those days an ordinary officer could only dream of entering the General Staff Academy. This pleasure is not for ordinary officers. For the chosen ones.

At the beginning of 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 this is where the fun begins.

Gurulev, when he was chief of staff and deputy commander of military unit 06705, became involved in a dirty story. He illegally sent two conscript soldiers with an ensign to the capital into “labor slavery” to Lieutenant General Nikolai Pereslegin, who at that time was a student at the Military Academy of the General Staff.

They carried out personal assignments for Pereslegin, assembled furniture in his apartment and were still in the service, being absent from the military unit for more than a year and a half. Gurulev hid this information by falsifying orders for departure/arrival on vacations 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 commander’s place, but, as we see, not for long.
This story caused a lot of noise, however, the case was dropped due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Knowledgeable people say that connections and money helped Gurulev avoid criminal punishment. I escaped with a slight fright.

By the way, to this day the company involved in the scandal, VentMontazhServis-Tver LLC, operates under the leadership of Pereslegin’s daughter Anna, although under a different name: SPIGO Engineering Company LLC. This is where Gurulev’s subordinates were illegally registered.

The company actively participates in tenders and receives government contracts, despite huge accounts payable.

As we 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 shouldn’t think that it’s all over.

Andrei Gurulev remained in military service and was appointed to the post of deputy commander of the Southern Military District. Is there any doubt that behind the back of the hero of the Russian Federation they will begin to weave intrigues, in attempts to “catch him up”? Dvornikov is an honest officer who will not make a deal with his conscience, and, therefore, poses a danger to corrupt officials in the ranks of the Armed Forces.

Colonel General, look around! Take a closer look at those who are hiding behind your back. Until you eradicate the infection near you, you will not be able to restore order in the troops. Surely even now Gurulev is trading in conscripts without fear of punishment.

Alexander Vladimirovich Dvornikov was born on August 22, 1961 in the city of Ussuriysk (Primorsky Territory).

He studied at Ussuri school No. 29, then entered the Ussuri Suvorov Military School. Teachers from whom Suvorov veteran Sasha Dvornikov studied are still working here.

From the memoirs of history teacher M. L. Kiriyenko:

It was a wonderful course. Thanks to the company commander and platoon commander, the boys studied well. There were no problems with discipline either. Alexander was the deputy platoon commander. He studied without grades, was on the school shooting team, was an excellent swimmer and skier, and always stood up for his friends.

By the way, one day Maria Lavrentievna Kiriyenko said to Suvorov soldier Dvornikov: “You, Sasha, should be a general!” 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 the 154th Separate Motorized Rifle Regiment Berlin Brigade.

From January 30, 1995 - Chief of Staff, Deputy Commander of the 248th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 10th Guards. TD Moscow Military District, and since September 20, 1996 - 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 Caucasus (now Southern) Military District as chief of staff of a division, and subsequently 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 army commander, later chief of army staff 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 to the position of chief of staff - first deputy commander of the troops 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 Retaliation were highly appreciated by the Russian leadership. On March 17, 2016, the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin awarded A.V. Dvornikov the Gold Star of the Hero of the Russian Federation.

In July 2016, Colonel General A.V. Dvornikov was appointed commander of the troops of the Southern Military District.

Hero of the Russian Federation, awarded the Order "For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" III degree, "For Military Merit", "For Merit to the Fatherland" IV degree with swords, the Order of Courage, as well as many medals. He is an honorary citizen of Ussuriysk.

Rostov-Syrian castling

By order of the head of the military department, Sergei Shoigu, Colonel General Alexander Dvornikov took up the duties of commander of the troops of the Southern Military District. Previously, he commanded a group 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 warring Arab country, who became the new commander of the group of Russian troops in Syria.

Colonel General Alexander Dvornikov. Photo: Kukharenko Konstantin.

As for the former commander of the Southern Military District, Colonel General Alexander Galkin, he is not resigning, but will continue to serve in the central apparatus of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Alexander Vladimirovich Dvornikov is a military general, an experienced leader, and 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 Ussuri Suvorov Military School, the Moscow Higher Combined Arms Command School named after the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR, the M. Frunze Military Academy and the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. Passed all command positions, starting from platoon and company commander. He served in the Far Eastern, Moscow, Siberian military districts, the Western Group of Forces, from 2000 to 2003 he served in the North Caucasus 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 the army in the Far Eastern Military District, was deputy commander of the troops of the Eastern Military District, and chief of staff - first deputy commander of the troops of the Central Military District. Since the beginning of the military operation in Syria, he has been the commander of the Russian Armed Forces group 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 troops of the Southern Military District was awarded the Order “For Merit to 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 assumed his duties, the commander held a meeting with officials from 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 "Caucasus-2016", the commissioning of infrastructure facilities and the beginning of planned combat training of the newly formed 150th Idritsa-Berlin Motorized Rifle Division, stationed in the Rostov region.

This connection will be located at the Kuzminsky, Kadamovsky and Millerovo training grounds. By the way, the entire infrastructure of the division is being built from scratch. Work at construction sites is in full swing. Builders are pouring the foundations of the facilities, installing headquarters, barracks, canteens and sports facilities is underway, laying roads, and paving the drill ground area. At the same time, housing is being built for officers, warrant officers, and contract soldiers from among the rank and file and non-commissioned officers. Moreover, the apartments are built with increased area, high-quality finishing, plumbing and kitchen furniture. The dining room, designed for 500 seats, is already ready to welcome its first visitors.

The new commander managed to visit some formations and military units of the Southern Military District stationed in Crimea, Abkhazia, North Ossetia-Alania, and Chechnya, becoming personally familiar 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 forces, got acquainted with the basing of naval formations and the activities of the headquarters of the Crimean Naval Base, visited the location of a separate coastal defense brigade, and inspected the training grounds used by the Black Sea Fleet in the Crimean Federal District.

Alexander Dvornikov promised to maintain and enhance the glorious traditions of the North Caucasus, and now the Southern Military District.