Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Russian Crisis: The main players: General Grachev

Annika Savill
Monday 04 October 1993 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

UNDER the leadership of General Pavel Grachev, the wheel yesterday came full circle for the men of Omon.

In January 1991, these special forces of the Interior Ministry effectuated the bloody crackdown in the Baltic republics. General Grachev, now Russia's Defence Minister, was then commander of the Soviet Airborne Troops.

Yesterday General Grachev used 700 members of both forces to win the surrender of the White House. Both Omon and the airborne forces are trained in assaults of this kind. General Grachev is believed to have spent the past two weeks co-ordinating the operation.

It was by refusing to support the coup leaders in 1991 that General Grachev secured a future as Russia's defence minister. In the current conflict, he initially sought to remain neutral. In March, he said the army would act as a 'guarantor of stability' by staying out of the power struggle. The following month parliament accused him of abusing his position in 'illegal deals' during the pull-out of Russian troops from former East Germany.

Although linked by fate to Mr Yeltsin's reforms, General Grachev appears to share some of the objectives of the people he crushed yesterday. He said last year: 'We are deeply convinced that we will witness a revival of a great Russia which will take its place in the list of great nations.' He has since announced a slowdown in the recall of Russian soldiers from the Baltics.

Born in 1948 in Tula, central Russia, General Grachev graduated from the Higher Airborne School in 1969 and joined the Communist Party in 1972. He commanded the 108th Airborne Division in Afghanistan and was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union in 1988. Low army morale has since eroded support among his Afgantsi veterans.

(Photograph omitted)

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in