GRACHEV, PAVEL SERGEYEVICH

(1948– )

Military leader. Born in theTula Oblast, Pavel Grachev served inLithuaniabefore coming to prominence as a commander in theSoviet-Afghan War. In 1991, he was appointed first deputy minister of defense during thedissolution of the Soviet Union. Owing to a close personal relationship withBoris Yeltsin, Grachev was ultimately appointed minister of defense in the new Russian Federation. He optimistically predicted a quick defeat of theChechen separatistsand was instrumental in Yeltsin’s decision to use force against the self-declaredChechen Republic of Ichkeriyain 1994. He proved to be an incompetent commander during the firstChechen Warand was sacked in 1996. He subsequently assumed the role of military advisor to Russia’sarms exportmonopoly Rosoboronexport. His name was linked to multiplecorruptionscandals throughout the 1990s.

See alsoMilitary.