An experienced commander and a true patriot. General V.G. Kazantsev
Army General V.G. Kazantsev. Photo of the Administration of the Krasnodar Territory
On September 14, in Krasnodar, after a long illness at the age of 76, Hero of Russia, retired Army General Viktor Germanovich Kazantsev, died. For several decades of military and civil service, he made a significant contribution to strengthening the defense and preserving the territorial integrity of the country, and also took part in the construction and improvement of new state institutions.
Biography milestones
The future General of the Army V.G. Kazantsev was born on February 22, 1946 in the village. Kokhanovo (Vitebsk Region, Byelorussian SSR). A few years later, the family moved to the Sverdlovsk region, in the village. Lesnaya Volchanka (now Volchansk), where Victor entered school. Already in 1956 he transferred to the Sverdlovsk Suvorov military school, which he graduated in 1963 - this was the first step towards future military service, high positions and awards.
After the Suvorov School V. Kazantsev entered the Leningrad Combined Arms Command School named after V. Kirov. After his graduation in 1966, he was assigned to one of the units of the Transcaucasian Military District, where he was appointed commander of a motorized rifle platoon. Over the next few years, the young officer was alternately promoted to company commander, chief of staff and commander of a motorized rifle battalion.
In the mid-seventies, the battalion commander Kazantsev was sent to the Central Asian Military District with a transfer to the post of chief of staff and deputy commander of a motorized rifle regiment. Having shown himself from the best side in all positions, the officer was able to enter the Military Academy. Frunze, which opened the way for him to further career growth.
Summit meeting, May 2001: V. Kazantsev, S. Kirienko and V. Putin. Photo by AP RF
After graduating from the academy, in 1979 V. Kazantsev went to serve in the Central Group of Forces in Czechoslovakia. There he became commander of the 275th Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment, and then was promoted to deputy and later commander of the 30th Guards Motorized Rifle Division.
In 1987 V.G. Kazantsev graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff. Voroshilov, after which he again received an appointment to SAVO. There, for several years, he held the posts of deputy army commander, commander of the 17th army corps and deputy commander of the Turkestan military district. Service in Central Asia continued until the collapse of the USSR.
In 1991, Major General Kazantsev was transferred to the headquarters of the ZabVO and was appointed deputy chief, and in 1993 he was promoted to chief of staff. The general remained in Transbaikalia until early 1996, when it was decided to transfer him to the North Caucasian Military District. The situation in the region remained difficult, and the participation of experienced military leaders was required.
The North Caucasus
Lieutenant General Kazantsev began his service in the North Caucasian Military District as first deputy commander. In July 1997, he headed the North Caucasus Military District and remained in this position until May 2000. At the end of the same year, V.G. Kazantsev was awarded the rank of Colonel General. In early 2000, he was promoted to army general.
Meeting on the development of the Caspian region, April 2002 From left to right: Plenipotentiary V. Kazantsev, President V. Putin and Governor of the Astrakhan Region Anatoly Guzhvin. Photo by AP RF
General Kazantsev held key posts in the North Caucasus Military District during the most difficult period in modern stories... The situation in the region remained difficult and there was a threat of deterioration. As it became clear later, the development followed a negative scenario. At the same time, the troops were faced with a lack of funding, organizational and other problems. The command of the military district and V.G. Kazantsev personally had to solve a lot of various problems in order to maintain acceptable combat effectiveness and maintain the combat readiness of units.
In August 1999, after the actual start of a new war in Chechnya, Colonel-General Kazantsev, retaining the post of commander of the North Caucasus Military District, headed the United Group of Federal Forces. He held this position until April 2000.
During this period, active sorties of Chechen gangs began from the territory of Chechnya to neighboring republics. In response, the federal forces began planning and conducting the first operations of various sizes. All these plans were developed by the command of the Joint Group and the North Caucasian Military District with the direct participation of General V. Kazantsev.
According to the recollections of colleagues, during this period the commander of the North Caucasus Military District showed himself to be an experienced and competent leader. He paid attention to all issues of a combat nature, but did not forget about the life and maintenance of personnel. The operations carried out under the leadership of V. Kazantsev were distinguished by a leisurely and decisive nature.
General Kazantsev gives parting words to the graduates of the Krasnodar Presidential Cadet Corps, June 2018. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
According to the results of the first months of the Second Chechen War, in December 1999 Colonel General Kazantsev was awarded the title of Hero of Russia. In February he received another military rank, but in May he was sent to the reserve. However, the general had to continue working in the North Caucasus.
After army
In May 2000, new administrative units were created - federal districts. Almost immediately after that V.G. Kazantsev was appointed to the post of Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the North Caucasus Federal District. Now the former commander of the North Caucasus Military District had to monitor the implementation of various civilian programs and coordinate the efforts of various organizations and structures.
V. Kazantsev remained in the post of plenipotentiary until March 2004. In almost four years, it was possible to solve a lot of problems in all regions of the North Caucasus Federal District and create a reserve for further construction, growth of indicators, etc.
After leaving the district leadership in 2004-2009, V.G. Kazantsev served as vice-rector of the North Caucasus Academy of Public Administration. He also taught at the Institute for Retraining and Advanced Training of Teachers of the Humanities and Social Sciences at Rostov State University (later Southern Federal University). In parallel, V. Kazantsev was engaged in social work: he held meetings with young people, helped various organizations, etc.
V.G. Kazantsev and students of the Krasnodar PKU, February 2019 Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
While serving in the army and in civilian positions, General Kazantsev found time for scientific work. So, in 1999, using the accumulated experience, he defended his thesis "Organization of the process of training qualified athletes in the system of sports work of the SKVO" and received the degree of candidate of pedagogical sciences. In the past, the general himself went in for sports. This resulted in the title of Master of Sports in Greco-Roman wrestling and sambo.
Bereavement
In recent years V.G. Kazantsev lived in Krasnodar and actively participated in the public life of the city and the region. However, time spares no one. The retired general was seriously ill, but did not talk about his difficulties and continued his public activities, to the best of his strength and capabilities. The disease turned out to be stronger, and on September 14 V.G. Kazantsev passed away within the hospital walls. Farewell and funeral is scheduled for September 16.
Undoubtedly, Viktor Germanovich Kazantsev was one of the most outstanding and talented military leaders in modern Russian history. Occupying various posts in the army and in civilian structures, he made every effort and skill to quickly and efficiently solve the assigned tasks. During several decades of service, he made a great contribution to strengthening defense capabilities, developing civil institutions and educating young people.
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