Outstanding Russian commanders
The heroic chronicle of our Fatherland preserves the memory of the great victories of the Russian people under the leadership outstanding commanders. Their names to this day inspire the defenders of the Fatherland in military affairs, are an example of fulfilling military duty, showing love for their native land.
Generals of Imperial Russia
One of the most famous Russian commanders is Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov (1730 - 1800), Generalissimo, Count of Rymniksky, Prince of Italy.
Suvorov began active military service in 1748 as a soldier. Just six years later he was awarded the first officer rank - lieutenant. Baptism of fire he received in the Seven Years' War (1756 - 1763), where the future great commander of Russia acquired vast experience in managing the army and understanding its capabilities.
In August 1762, Suvorov was appointed commander of the Astrakhan infantry regiment. And from the next year he already commanded the Suzdal infantry regiment. At this time, he created his famous “Regimental Establishment” - instructions that contained the basic provisions and rules for the education of soldiers, internal service and combat training of troops.
In 1768 - 1772, with the rank of brigadier and major general, Alexander Vasilyevich took part in military operations in Poland against the troops of the gentry Bar Confederation. Commanding a brigade and individual detachments, Suvorov made rapid forced marches and won brilliant victories near Orekhovo, Landskrona, Zamosc and Stolovichi, and captured Krakow Castle.
In 1773, Suvorov was transferred to the active army, which took part in the Russian-Turkish war of 1768 - 1774. He was appointed to the 1st Army of Field Marshal P. Rumyantsev, where he began to command separate detachment, with whom he made two successful campaigns across the Danube and defeated large Turkish forces at Turtukai in 1773 and at Kozludzhi in 1774.
With the beginning of the Russian-Turkish War of 1787 - 1791, Suvorov led the defense of the Kherson-Kinburn region, which was threatened by the Turks from the sea and from the Ochakov fortress. On October 1, 1787, Suvorov’s troops destroyed thousands of enemy troops landing on the Kinburn Spit. The commander personally took part in the battle and was wounded.
The year 1789 gave him two brilliant victories in military leadership - at Focsani and at Rymnik. For the victory on the Rymnik River, he was awarded the highest military order of Russia - St. George, 1st degree.
On December 11, 1790, Russian troops under the command of Suvorov captured the strongest Turkish fortress of Izmail, and the attackers were numerically inferior to the enemy garrison. This battle has no equal in world history, being the pinnacle military glory an outstanding commander.
In 1795 - 1796, Suvorov commanded troops in Ukraine. At this time he wrote his famous “Science of Victory.” With the accession of Paul I, Alexander Vasilyevich opposed the introduction of Prussian orders alien to the Russian army, which caused hostility to him the emperor and the court. In February 1797, the commander was dismissed and exiled to his estate Konchanskoye. The exile lasted for about two years.
In 1798, Russia entered the 2nd anti-French coalition. At the insistence of the allies, Emperor Paul I was forced to appoint Suvorov as commander-in-chief of the Russian-Austrian army in Northern Italy. During the Italian campaign of 1799, troops under the command of Suvorov won victories over the French in the battles on the Adda and Trebbia rivers, as well as at Novi.
After this, the Russian commander planned a campaign in France. However, he was ordered to leave the Austrian troops in Italy and go to Switzerland to join the corps of General A. Rimsky-Korsakov. The famous Suvorov Swiss campaign of 1799 began. Having passed through the barriers of French troops, overcoming the Alpine heights, Russian troops heroically broke through to Switzerland.
In the same year, the commander received an order from the emperor to return to Russia. His reward for the Italian and Swiss campaigns was the title of Prince of Italy and the highest military rank Generalissimo. By that time, the holder of all Russian orders of the highest degree also had the rank of Austrian field marshal general.
Generalissimo Suvorov went down in military history as a brilliant commander. During the entire period of his military leadership, he did not lose a single battle, and almost all of them were won with the numerical superiority of the enemy.
He became one of the founders of Russian military art, creating his own military school with a progressive system of training and education of troops. Having rejected the outdated principles of cordon strategy and linear tactics, he developed and applied more perfect forms and methods of warfare that were far ahead of their time. He trained a galaxy of Russian generals and military leaders, among whom were M. Kutuzov and P. Bagration.
The successor of Suvorov's military leadership traditions was Field Marshal Mikhail Illarionovich Golenishchev-Kutuzov (1745 - 1813), who became a member of the Russian history as the savior of the Fatherland from the Grand Army of the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte during Patriotic War 1812.
Born into the family of a military engineer, lieutenant general. In 1759 he graduated from the engineering and artillery school and was retained as a teacher there. In 1761, he received the rank of ensign and was appointed company commander of the Astrakhan Infantry Regiment. Then he was an aide-de-camp to the Governor-General of Revel and again served in the army.
Participant in the Russian-Turkish War of 1768 - 1774, in 1770 he was transferred to the South as part of the 1st Army. He happened to be a student of such great Russian commanders as P. Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky and A. Suvorov-Rymniksky. He took part in large field battles - at Larga and Cahul. He distinguished himself in the battle of Pipesty. He proved himself to be a brave, energetic and proactive officer. He was appointed chief quartermaster (chief of staff) of the corps.
In 1772 he was transferred to the 2nd Crimean Army. In July 1774, in a battle against the Turkish landing near Alushta near the village of Shumy (now Kutuzovka), commanding a battalion, he was seriously wounded in the temple and right eye. After treatment abroad, he served for six years under the command of Suvorov, organizing the defense of the Crimean coast.
Kutuzov gained fame as a military leader during the Russian-Turkish war of 1787 - 1791. At first, he and his rangers guarded the border along the Bug River. In the summer of 1788, he took part in the battles near Ochakov, where he received a second serious wound to the head. Then he took part in the fighting near Akkerman, Kaushany, and Bendery.
In December 1790, during the storming of the fortress, Izmail commanded the 6th column of attackers. In a victorious report, Suvorov gave highly appreciated actions of Kutuzov. He was appointed Izmail commandant. Promoted to lieutenant general, he repelled an attempt by the Turks to take possession of Izmail. In June 1791 it was defeated by a sudden attack; 23 thousand Ottoman army at Babadag. In the Battle of Machinsky, skillfully maneuvering his troops, he demonstrated the art of victorious tactics.
In the Russian-Austro-French War of 1805, he commanded one of the two Russian armies. In October of this year, he made the famous retreat march from Braunau to Olmitz, withdrawing the army from the threat of being surrounded. During the maneuver, the Russians defeated Murat's troops near Amstettin and Mortier near Burenstein. Contrary to Kutuzov's opinion, Emperor Alexander I and Austrian Emperor Franz I went on the offensive against French army. November 20, 1805 took place Battle of Austerlitz, in which the Russian commander-in-chief was actually removed from command of the troops. Napoleon won one of his greatest victories.
It was Kutuzov who had to victoriously end the Russian-Turkish war of 1806 - 1812. In its penultimate year, when the war with Turkey reached a dead end, Kutuzov was appointed commander-in-chief of the Moldavian army. In the Battle of Rushchuk in 1811, with only 15 thousand troops, he inflicted a complete defeat on the 60 thousand-strong Turkish army.
At the beginning of the Patriotic War of 1812, Kutuzov was elected head of the St. Petersburg and Moscow militias. After Russian troops left Smolensk, under pressure from broad public opinion, the emperor appointed Kutuzov commander-in-chief of the entire Russian army, confirming the opinion of a special government committee. On August 17, the commander arrived with the army retreating towards Moscow. The noticeable superiority of Napoleon's Grand Army in strength and the lack of reserves forced the commander-in-chief to withdraw the army inland.
Having not received the promised large reinforcements, Kutuzov gave the French a general battle on August 26 near the village of Borodino. In this battle, Russian soldiers dispelled the myth of Napoleon's invincibility. Both sides suffered huge casualties in the Battle of Borodino. The French lost most of their largest regular cavalry in Europe. The Battle of Borodino brought Kutuzov the title of Field Marshal.
After the military council in Fili, Kutuzov decided to leave the capital and withdraw the army south, to the Tarutino camp. Residents also left Moscow; Napoleonic army entered a huge deserted city and began to loot. Soon the capital was almost completely burned. The Tarutino march-maneuver put the French army in an extremely disadvantageous position, and it soon left Moscow.
The Russian army launched a counteroffensive. It was organized in such a way that French troops They were constantly under attack from Russian vanguard troops, flying cavalry detachments and partisans. All this led to the defeat of the remnants of the Great Army on the banks of the Berezina River and their flight abroad. Thanks to Kutuzov’s tactics, a huge Grand Army ceased to exist as military force, and Napoleon himself left her and went to Paris to create a new army.
For his skillful leadership of the Russian army in 1812, Field Marshal Kutuzov was awarded the highest military leadership award in Russia - the Order of St. George, 1st degree, and became the first in the history of the country to have all four degrees of the order. He also received the honorary title of Prince of Smolensk.
In January 1813, the Russian army led by Kutuzov began its foreign campaigns. But the health of its commander-in-chief was undermined, and he died in Silesia. The commander's body was embalmed and sent to Russian capital. There Kutuzov was buried in the Kazan Cathedral.
He gave military service more than 50 years of his life, becoming a great Russian commander. He was well educated and possessed subtle mind, knew how to remain calm even in the most critical moments of battle. Thought carefully about each military operation, trying to act more through maneuvers, using military cunning, and not sacrificing the lives of soldiers. He managed to oppose the great European commander Napoleon Bonaparte with his own strategy and tactics. The Patriotic War of 1812 became a source of military pride for Russia.
Field Marshal General Pyotr Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky (1725 - 1796), who became famous during the reign of Empress Catherine II the Great, was also a great Russian commander.
The talent of military leader Rumyantsev was revealed during Seven Years' War 1756 - 1763. First he commanded a brigade, then a division. Rumyantsev became a true hero of the battles of Groß-Jägersdorf in 1757 and Kunersdorf in 1759. In the first case, the entry of the Rumyantsev brigade into the battle decided the outcome of the clash between the Russian army and the Prussian army: King Frederick II was defeated, and his troops fled from the battlefield. In the second case, the Rumyantsev regiments again found themselves in the very center of the battle, demonstrating resilience and desire to defeat the enemy.
In 1761, at the head of the corps, he successfully led the siege and capture of the Kolberg fortress, which was defended by a strong Prussian garrison.
With the beginning of the Russian-Turkish War of 1768 - 1774, Rumyantsev became commander of the 2nd Russian Army. In 1769, troops under his command took the Azov fortress. In August of the same year - he was the commander of the 1st Russian active army. It was at this post that the talent of the great commander was revealed.
In the summer of 1770, Russian troops won brilliant victories over the superior forces of the Turkish army and cavalry troops Crimean Khan- in the battles of Larga and Kagul. In all three battles, Rumyantsev demonstrated the triumph of offensive tactics, the ability to maneuver troops and achieve complete victory.
Near Cahul, a 35,000-strong Russian army faced a 90,000-strong Turkish army Grand Vizier Halil Pasha. From the rear, the Russians were threatened by the 80,000-strong cavalry of the Crimean Tatars. However, the Russian commander boldly attacked the fortified positions of the Turks, knocked them out of the trenches on the heights and put them to mass flight, capturing all the enemy artillery and a huge camp with a large convoy. His reward for the brilliant Cahul victory was the Order of St. George, 1st degree.
Advancing along the Prut River, the Russian army reached the Danube. Then the commander moved the fighting to the Bulgarian right bank, leading an attack on the Shumla fortress. Türkiye hastened to conclude the Kyuchuk-Kainardzhi peace treaty with Rumyantsev, which secured Russia’s access to the Black Sea. For his victories over the Turks, the Field Marshal General became known in history as Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky.
After the victorious end of the war, the commander was also appointed commander of the heavy cavalry of the Russian army. With the beginning of the new Russian-Turkish war of 1787 - 1791, he became the head of the 2nd Army. However, he soon came into conflict with the most strong man era of the reign of Catherine II - the favorite of the Empress G. Potemkin. As a result, he was actually removed from command of the army, and in 1789 he was recalled from the theater of military operations to perform governor-general duties in governing Little Russia.
As a great commander, Field Marshal General Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky introduced a lot of new things into Russian military art. He was a skilled organizer of troop training and used new, more progressive forms of combat. He was a staunch supporter of offensive strategy and tactics, which after him were creatively developed by the Russian military genius A. Suvorov. For the first time in the history of military art, he used battalion columns for maneuvering on the battlefield and attack, and laid the foundation for the formation of light Jaeger infantry, operating in loose formation.
Marshals of the Great Patriotic War
The most famous commander of the war Soviet people against Nazi Germany and its satellites was Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov (1896 - 1974), Marshal Soviet Union, four times Hero of the Soviet Union.
He has been in the Russian army since 1915, a participant in the First World War, a non-commissioned officer, awarded two St. George's crosses. In the Red Army since 1918. During the Civil War, he was a Red Army soldier, commander of a platoon and cavalry squadron. Participated in battles on the Eastern, Western and Southern fronts, in the elimination of banditry.
After the Civil War, he commanded a cavalry squadron, regiment and brigade. Since 1931, assistant inspector of the Red Army cavalry, then commander of the 4th cavalry division. Since 1937, commander of the 3rd Cavalry Corps, since 1938 - 6th Cavalry Corps. In July 1938, he was appointed deputy commander of the Belarusian Special Military District.
In July 1939, Zhukov was appointed commander of the 1st Army Group of Soviet troops in Mongolia. Together with the Mongolian army, a large group of Japanese troops was encircled and defeated on the Khalkhin Gol River. For his skillful leadership of the operation and his courage, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Since July 1940, Zhukov commanded the troops of the Kyiv Special Military District. From January to July 30, 1941 - Chief of the General Staff - Deputy People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR.
Zhukov's leadership talent was revealed during the Great Patriotic War. Since June 23, 1941 he has been a member of the Headquarters Supreme High Command. Since August 1942 - First Deputy People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR and Deputy Supreme Commander-in-Chief I.V. Stalin.
As a representative of the Headquarters, in the first days of the war he organized a counterattack on the Southwestern Front in the area of the city of Brody, thereby disrupting the intention of the Nazis with their mobile formations to immediately break through to Kyiv. In August - September 1941, General Zhukov commanded the troops of the Reserve Front and carried out the Elninsky offensive operation. And in September of the same year he was appointed commander of the Leningrad Front.
In October 1941, Zhukov led the Western Front, whose main task was the defense of Moscow. During the battle of Moscow in the winter of 1941 - 1942, the front troops, together with the troops of Kalinin and Southwestern Fronts, going on a decisive offensive, completed the defeat of the attackers. fascist German troops and pushed them back from the capital to 100 - 250 km.
In 1942 - 1943, Zhukov coordinated the actions of the fronts near Stalingrad. During the Battle of Stalingrad, five enemy armies were defeated: two German, two Romanian and Italian.
Then he coordinated the actions of Soviet troops in breaking the blockade of Leningrad, together with A. Vasilevsky - the actions of front troops in the Battle of Kursk in 1943, which became important stage in the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany. In the Battle of the Dnieper, Zhukov coordinated the actions of the Voronezh and Steppe fronts. In March - May 1944 he commanded the 1st Ukrainian Front. In the summer of 1944, he coordinated the actions of the 1st and 2nd Belarusian Fronts during the Belarusian Strategic Offensive Operation.
At the final stage of the Great Patriotic War, Marshal of the Soviet Union Zhukov commanded the troops of the 1st Belorussian Front, who carried out the Vistula-Oder operation of 1945, the defeat of the Nazi troops of Army Group A (Center), the liberation of Poland and its capital Warsaw. During these operations, Soviet troops advanced 500 km and entered the territory of Nazi Germany.
In April - May 1945, troops of the 1st Belorussian Front, together with troops of the 1st Ukrainian and 2nd Belorussian Fronts, carried out the Berlin operation, which ended with the capture of the German capital. On behalf of and on behalf of the Supreme High Command Zhukov on May 8, 1945 in Karlshorst ( south-eastern part Berlin) accepted the surrender of the armed forces fascist Germany.
Zhukov's leadership talent was manifested in the participation and development of the largest strategic offensive operations of the Great Patriotic War. He had enormous willpower, a deep mind, the ability to quickly assess the most difficult strategic situation, predict the possible course of hostilities, and knew how to find right decisions V critical situations, took responsibility for risky military actions, had brilliant organizational talent and personal courage.
The fate of the commander after the war turned out to be difficult: under I. Stalin, N. Khrushchev and L. Brezhnev, he was in disgrace for almost a quarter of a century, but courageously and steadfastly endured all the hardships that befell him.
Another major Soviet commander during the Great Patriotic War was Marshal of the Soviet Union Ivan Stepanovich Konev (1897 - 1973).
He was drafted into the Russian army in 1916. A participant in the First World War, he served as a non-commissioned officer in an artillery battalion. During the Civil War - district military commissar, commissar of an armored train, rifle brigade, division, headquarters of the People's Revolutionary Army of the Far Eastern Republic. He fought on the Eastern Front against Kolchak's troops, the forces of Ataman Semenov and the Japanese invaders.
After the Civil War, commissar of the rifle brigade and division. Then he was regiment commander and deputy division commander. Graduated in 1934 Military Academy named after M.V. Frunze. Commanded rifle division, body. He was the commander of the 2nd Separate Red Banner Far Eastern Army. In 1940 - 1941 he commanded the troops of the Transbaikal and North Caucasus military districts.
During the Great Patriotic War, he held senior command positions - he commanded the 19th Army of the Western Front, the Western Front, the Kalinin, North-Western, Steppe, 2nd Ukrainian and 1st Ukrainian Fronts. Troops under the command of Konev took part in the battle of Moscow, the Battle of Kursk, and the liberation of Belgorod and Kharkov. Konev especially distinguished himself in the Korsun-Shevchenko operation, where a large group of Nazi troops was surrounded. .
This was followed by participation in such major operations of the Second World War as the Vistula-Oder, Berlin and Prague. During the encirclement of Berlin, he skillfully maneuvered the tank armies of the 1st Ukrainian Front.
For military successes was awarded the highest military order "Victory". Twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Hero of Czechoslovakia Socialist Republic, Hero of the Mongolian People's Republic.
Konev, who received the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union in 1944, during the Great Patriotic War was distinguished by his ability to prepare and conduct large-scale front-line operations, including encircling and destroying large enemy groups. He skillfully conducted offensive actions forces tank armies and corps, applied combat experience in the training and education of troops in post-war period.
A prominent Soviet commander during the Great Patriotic War was also Marshal of the Soviet Union Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky (1896 - 1968).
In the Russian army since 1914. Participant of the First World War, junior non-commissioned officer of the dragoon regiment. In the Red Army since 1918. During the Civil War, he commanded a squadron, a separate cavalry division and a cavalry regiment.
After the Civil War, he commanded a cavalry brigade, a cavalry regiment, and a separate cavalry brigade, which took part in battles with the White Chinese on the Chinese Eastern Railway. After that, he commanded a cavalry brigade and division, a mechanized corps.
He began the Great Patriotic War as commander of a mechanized corps. Soon he became commander of the 16th Army of the Western Front. From July 1942, commander of the Bryansk Front, from September of the same year - Don, from February 1943 - Central, from October of the same year - Belorussian, from February 1944 - 1st Belorussian, and from November 1944 until the end of the war - 2nd Belorussian Front.
Rokossovsky took part in many of the largest operations of the Great Patriotic War, his troops won many victories over the Nazi troops. He took part in the Battle of Smolensk in 1941, the Battle of Moscow, the Battles of Stalingrad and Kursk, the Belarusian, East Prussian, East Pomeranian and Berlin operations.
Among the most capable Soviet commanders, skillfully and effectively commanded the fronts. Marshal of the Soviet Union Rokossovsky demonstrated his military leadership in the decisive battles of the war. He was twice awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and the highest Soviet military order "Victory". Commanded the Victory Parade in Moscow.
After the war, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the Northern Group of Forces. In 1949, at the request of the government of the Polish People's Republic, with the permission of the Soviet government, he went to Poland and was appointed Minister of National Defense and Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the People's Republic of Poland. Rokossovsky was awarded the military rank of Marshal of Poland.
Rokossovsky did a lot for the development of the Soviet Armed Forces in the post-war period, taking into account the experience of World War II and the scientific and technological revolution in military affairs. Author of the memoir "A Soldier's Duty."
Marshal of the Soviet Union Alexander Mikhailovich Vasilevsky (1895 - 1977) was also an honored commander of the Great Patriotic War.
He can rightfully be called a unique military leader who happily combined the qualities brilliant commander and an outstanding staff worker, military thinker and large-scale organizer. Being the chief at the beginning of the war operational management, and from May 1942 to February 1945, the Chief of the General Staff, Alexander Mikhailovich, of the 34 months of the war, only 12 worked directly in Moscow, and 22 at the fronts, carrying out orders from Headquarters.
As Chief of the General Staff, he headed the planning and preparation of almost all major strategic operations of our Armed Forces, decided cardinal issues providing the fronts with people, equipment, and weapons.
As a representative of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command, he successfully coordinated the actions of the fronts and branches of the Armed Forces in Stalingrad and Kursk battles, during the liberation of Donbass, Belarus, and the Baltic states. Replacing Army General I.D., who fell on the battlefield. Chernyakhovsky, at the head of the 3rd Belorussian Front, successfully led the offensive in East Prussia. It was precisely the one led by him as the commander-in-chief of the Soviet troops in Far East our army in September 1945 “on Pacific Ocean I finished my hike.”
“Having become acquainted with the style and methods of his work directly in front-line conditions,” wrote Marshal of the Soviet Union I.Kh. Bagramyan, “I was convinced of his ability to unusually quickly navigate the situation, deeply analyze the decisions made by the front-line and army command, skillfully correct shortcomings, and also listen to and accept the reasoned opinions of his subordinates.”
Alexander Mikhailovich stood for his subordinates, since he was 100 percent confident in them. When in July 1942, the first deputy chief of the General Staff, General N.F., was appointed commander of the newly formed Voronezh Front. Vatutin, in his place, on the recommendation of Vasilevsky, A. I. Antonov was nominated. But Stalin, even agreeing to this appointment, did not immediately believe and appreciate Antonov. And for several months he had to establish himself in the opinion of the Supreme Commander, performing important tasks in the troops. Vasilevsky, believing that a better candidate could not be found, carried a double burden on himself, working both for himself and for his deputy, while Alexey Innokentievich was undergoing a kind of probationary period.
Vasilevsky received his first Order of Victory for the successful coordination of the actions of the 3rd and 4th Ukrainian Fronts in preparation for the operation to liberate right-bank Ukraine and Crimea in the spring of 1944. And here he had to fully demonstrate his character.
At the end of March, on the instructions of Stalin, Vasilevsky went to the headquarters of the 4th Ukrainian Front for final approval of the plan Crimean operation Marshal K.E. arrived Voroshilov. Like Alexander Mikhailovich, he was a representative of the Headquarters, but in the separate Primorsky Army of General A.I. Eremenko, operating in the Kerch direction.
After familiarizing himself with the composition of the forces and means of the 4th Ukrainian Front, Voroshilov expressed great doubt about the reality of the plan. Like, the enemy has such powerful fortifications near Kerch, and then there’s Sivash and Perekop. In a word, nothing will come of it unless you ask Headquarters for an additional army, artillery and other means of reinforcement.
The opinion of the old cavalryman made even the commander of the 4th Ukrainian Front, General F.I., hesitate. Tolbukhin. Following him, the chief of staff of the front, General S.S. Biryuzov nodded his head.
Vasilevsky was surprised. After all, not so long ago they, together with the front commander, made all the calculations and came to the conclusion that there were quite enough forces for a successful operation, which they reported to Headquarters. Then there were no objections, but now, when everything has already been approved by Headquarters and there is no reason to revise the operation plan, objections suddenly follow. Why? In response, Tolbukhin noted, not too confidently, that getting reinforcements is always a good idea.
This is where Vasilevsky’s character came into play. Alexander Mikhailovich told Voroshilov that he was immediately contacting Stalin, reporting everything to him and asking for the following: since Tolbukhin refuses to carry out the operation under these conditions, he himself will carry out the Crimean operation at the head of the 4th Ukrainian Front.
Against the background of the conviction and well-reasoned set of the Stavka representative, the opponents’ arguments somehow immediately withered. Tolbukhin admitted that he rushed to conclusions and did not think carefully. Voroshilov, in turn, assured that he would not interfere in the actions of the 4th Ukrainian Front. But he will give his comments on the report to Headquarters, which Vasilevsky was supposed to draw up. And then he refused the comments.
Here Vasilevsky’s response to the gentle reproach of one military leader comes to mind: “As for my “prudence” and “caution” ... then, in my opinion, there is nothing wrong with them, if a sense of proportion is observed. I think that every military leader, be it the commander of a unit or division, the commander of an army or a front, must be moderately prudent and careful. He has such a job that he is responsible for the lives of thousands and tens of thousands of soldiers, and it is his duty to weigh his every decision , think through, look for the most optimal ways to accomplish a combat mission..."
The operation to liberate Crimea was successful, as Vasilevsky had planned. In just 35 days, our troops broke through the powerful enemy defenses and defeated an enemy force of almost 200,000. Although for the marshal himself this victory almost turned into a tragedy. On the second day after the liberation of Sevastopol, while driving around the destroyed city, his car hit a mine. The entire front end, instead of the engine, was torn apart and thrown to the side. It's just a miracle that the marshal and his driver survived...
For the second time, Marshal Vasilevsky was awarded the Order of Victory for the successful leadership of the military operations of the 3rd Belorussian and 1st Baltic fronts already at the end of the war to eliminate the East Prussian enemy group and capture Koenigsberg. The citadel of Prussian militarism collapsed in three days.
Here it is appropriate to refer to the opinion of the former commander of the 1st Baltic Front, Marshal Bagramyan, who in those days interacted very closely with Alexander Mikhailovich. “In East Prussia A.M. Vasilevsky passed the most difficult military leadership exam with honor and demonstrated with all his might both his talent as a large-scale military strategist and his excellent organizational skills.
All the front commanders, and these were highly experienced generals, such as N.I. Krylov, I.I. Lyudnikov, K.N. Galitsky, A.P. Beloborodov unanimously stated that the level of leadership... was beyond praise.”
In opening remarks The importance of the topic should be noted, the role of generals and military leaders in the war should be emphasized, and their close connection with the masses of soldiers should be shown.
When considering the first question, taking into account the interests of the listeners, it is desirable to reveal the military leadership talent of several military leaders of Imperial Russia, to show their best human qualities, name the reasons for success in the most important battles and wars.
In the course of revealing the second question, it is desirable to name the Soviet commanders of the Great Patriotic War and major military leaders of their branch of troops, reveal their services to the Fatherland, show their close connection with the masses of soldiers and concern for them.
At the end of the lesson, it is necessary to draw brief conclusions, answer questions from students, and give recommendations on preparing for the conversation (seminar).
1. Alekseev Yu. Field Marshal General Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky // Landmark; - 2000. No. 1.
2. Alekseev Yu. Generalissimo Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov // Landmark. - 2000. No. 6.
5. Rubtsov Yu. Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov // Landmark. - 2000. No. 4.
4. Rubtsov Yu. Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky // Landmark. -2000. No. 8.
5. Sokolov Yu. Outstanding Russian commanders through the eyes of contemporaries (IX - XVII centuries). - M, 2002.
Captain 1st rank reserve,
candidate historical sciences Alexey Shishov
Russia spent most of its history at war. The victories of the Russian army were ensured by both ordinary soldiers and famous commanders, whose experience and thinking are comparable to genius.
Disagree1 Agree
Main battles: Battle of Kinburn, Focsani, Rymnik, Assault on Izmail, Assault on Prague.
Suvorov is a brilliant commander, one of the most beloved by the Russian people. Despite the fact that his combat training system was based on the strictest discipline, the soldiers loved Suvorov. He even became a hero of Russian folklore. Suvorov himself also left behind the book “The Science of Victory.” It is written in simple language and has already been divided into quotes.
“Save a bullet for three days, and sometimes for an entire campaign, when there is nowhere to take it. Shoot rarely, but accurately, with a bayonet firmly. The bullet will be damaged, but the bayonet will not be damaged. The bullet is a fool, but the bayonet is great! If only once! Throw the infidel with the bayonet! - dead on a bayonet, scratching his neck with a saber. Saber on the neck - step back, strike again! If there is another, if there is a third! The hero will stab half a dozen, but I’ve seen more.”
Disagree2 Agree
Barclay de Tolly (1761–1818)
Battles and engagements: Assault on Ochakov, Assault on Prague, Battle of Pultusk, Battle of Preussisch-Eylau, Battle of Smolensk, Battle of Borodino, Siege of Thorn, Battle of Bautzen, Battle of Dresden, Battle of Kulm, Battle of Leipzig, Battle of La Rotière, Battle of Arcy-sur-Aube, Battle of Fer-Champenoise, Capture of Paris.
Barclay de Tolly is the most underrated brilliant commander, the creator of the “scorched earth” tactics. As commander of the Russian army, he had to retreat during the first stage of the War of 1812, after which he was replaced by Kutuzov. The idea of leaving Moscow was also proposed by de Tolly. Pushkin wrote about him:
And you, the unrecognized, forgotten Hero of the occasion, rested - and at the hour of death, perhaps, you remembered us with contempt!
Disagree3 Agree
Mikhail Kutuzov (1745–1813)
Major wars and battles: Storm of Izmail, Battle of Austerlitz, Patriotic War of 1812: Battle of Borodino.
Mikhail Kutuzov is a famous commander. When he distinguished himself in the Russian-Turkish war, Catherine II said: “Kutuzov must be protected. He will be a great general for me." Kutuzov was wounded twice in the head. Both wounds were considered fatal at that time, but Mikhail Illarionovich survived. In the Patriotic War, having taken command upon himself, he retained the tactics of Barclay de Tolly and continued to retreat until he decided to give pitched battle- the only one in the entire war. As a result, the Battle of Borodino, despite the ambiguity of the results, became one of the largest and bloodiest in the entire 19th century. More than 300 thousand people took part in it on both sides, and almost a third of this number were wounded or killed.
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Skopin-Shuisky (1587–1610)
Wars and battles: Bolotnikov's Rebellion, the war against False Dmitry II Skopin-Shuisky did not lose a single battle. He became famous for suppressing the Bolotnikov uprising, liberated Moscow from the siege of False Dmitry II, and had very great authority among the people. In addition to all other merits, Skopin-Shuisky carried out retraining of Russian troops; in 1607, on his initiative, he was transferred from German and Latin languages“Charter of military, pushkar and other affairs.”
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Wars and battles: War with Lithuania, war with Mamai and Tokhtomysh
Dmitry Ivanovich was nicknamed “Donsky” for his victory in the Battle of Kulikovo. Despite all the contradictory assessments of this battle and the fact that the period of yoke continued for almost 200 years, Dmitry Donskoy is deservedly considered one of the main defenders of the Russian land. Sergius of Radonezh himself blessed him for the battle.
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Main merit: Liberation of Moscow from the Poles. Dmitry Pozharsky - national hero Russia. Military and politician, leader of the Second People's Militia that liberated Moscow during the Time of Troubles. Pozharsky played decisive role in the arrival of the Romanovs to the Russian throne.
Disagree9 Agree
Mikhail Vorotynsky (1510 - 1573)
Battles: Campaigns against the Crimean and Kazan Tatars, Battle of Molodi
Voivode of Ivan the Terrible from the princely family of Vorotynsky, hero of the capture of Kazan and the Battle of Molodi - “forgotten Borodino”. An outstanding Russian commander. They wrote about him: “a strong and courageous husband, very skilled in regimental arrangements.” Vorotynsky is even depicted, among other prominent figures of Russia, on the “Millennium of Russia” monument.
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Wars: First world war, Civil War in Russia, Conflict on the Chinese Eastern Railway, Great Patriotic War.
Konstantin Rokossovsky stood at the origins largest operations Great Patriotic War. He was successful in both offensive and defensive operations ( Battle of Stalingrad, Kursk Bulge, Bobruisk offensive, Berlin operation). From 1949 to 1956, Rokossovsky served in Poland, became Marshal of Poland, and was appointed minister national defense. Since 1952, Rokossovsky was appointed deputy prime minister.
Disagree11 Agree
Ermak (?-1585)
Merits: Conquest of Siberia.
Ermak Timofeevich is a semi-legendary character. We do not even know for sure the date of his birth, but this does not in any way diminish his merits. It is Ermak who is considered the “conqueror of Siberia.” He did it practically at will- Grozny wanted to bring it back “on pain of great disgrace” and use it “to protect Perm region" When the king wrote the decree, Ermak had already conquered the capital of Kuchum.
Disagree12 Agree
Main battles: Battle of the Neva, war with the Lithuanians, Battle of the Ice.
Even if you don’t remember the famous Battle of the Ice and the Battle of the Neva, Alexander Nevsky was an extremely successful commander. He made successful campaigns against German, Swedish and Lithuanian feudal lords. In particular, in 1245, Alexander defeated the Novgorod army to the Lithuanian prince Mindovga, who attacked Torzhok and Bezhetsk. Having released the Novgorodians, Alexander, with the help of his squad, pursued the remnants of the Lithuanian army, during which he defeated another Lithuanian detachment near Usvyat. In total, judging by the sources that have reached us, Alexander Nevsky conducted 12 military operations and did not lose in any of them.
Disagree14 Agree
Boris Sheremetev (1652–1719)
Major wars and battles: Crimean campaigns, Azov campaigns, Northern War.
Boris Sheremetev was the first count in Russian history. Outstanding Russian commander of the time Northern War, diplomat, first Russian field marshal general (1701). He was one of the most beloved heroes of his time by the common people and soldiers. They even wrote soldiers' songs about him, and he was always good in them. This must be earned.
Disagree15 Agree
Major Wars: Northern War
The only nobleman to receive the title of "duke" from the monarch. A general and generalissimo, a renowned hero and politician, Menshikov ended his life in exile. In Berezovo, he himself built himself a village house (together with 8 faithful servants) and a church. His statement from that period is known: “I started with a simple life, and I will end with a simple life.”
Disagree16 Agree
Major wars: Russo-Swedish War, Rhine Campaign, Seven Years' War, Russo-Turkish War (1768-1774), Russo-Turkish War (1787-1791)
Count Pyotr Rumyantsev is considered the founder of Russian military doctrine. He successfully commanded the Russian army in Turkish wars under Catherine II, he himself took part in the battles. In 1770 he became a field marshal. After the conflict with Potemkin, “He retired to his Little Russian estate Tashan, where he built himself a palace in the form of a fortress and locked himself in one room, never leaving it. He pretended not to recognize his own children, who lived in poverty, and died in 1796, having outlived Catherine by just a few days.”
Disagree17 Agree
Grigory Potemkin (1739-1796)
Major wars and battles: Russian-Turkish War (1768-1774), Caucasian War(1785-1791).Russian-Turkish War (1787-1791).
Potemkin-Tavrichesky - an outstanding Russian statesman and military figure, His Serene Highness Prince, organizer of Novorossiya, founder of cities, favorite of Catherine II, field marshal general. Alexander Suvorov wrote about his commander Potemkin in 1789: “He honest man, He kind person“He’s a great man: it’s my happiness to die for him.”
Disagree19 Agree
Fyodor Ushakov (1744–1817)
Main battles: Battle of Fidonisi, Battle of Tendra (1790), Battle of Kerch (1790), Battle of Kaliakra (1791), Siege of Corfu (1798, assault: February 18-20, 1799).
Fyodor Ushakov is a famous Russian commander who never knew defeat. Ushakov did not lose a single ship in battles, not a single one of his subordinates was captured. In 2001, the Russian Orthodox Church canonized Theodore Ushakov as a righteous warrior.
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Peter Bagration (1765-1812)
Main battles: Schöngraben, Austerlitz, Battle of Borodino.
The descendant of the Georgian kings, Peter Bagration, was always distinguished by unusual courage, composure, determination and perseverance. During the battles, he was repeatedly wounded, but never left the battlefield. The Swiss campaign led by Suvorov in 1799, known as Suvorov's crossing of the Alps, glorified Bagration and finally established his title as an excellent Russian general.
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Prince Svyatoslav (942–972)
Wars: Khazar campaign, Bulgarian campaigns, war with Byzantium
Karamzin called Prince Svyatoslav “Russian Macedonian”, historian Grushevsky - “Cossack on the throne”. Svyatoslav was the first to make an active attempt at extensive land expansion. He successfully fought with the Khazars and Bulgarians, but the campaign against Byzantium ended in an unfavorable truce for Svyatoslav. He died in a battle with the Pechenegs. Svyatoslav is a cult figure. His famous “I’m coming to you” is still quoted today.
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Main wars: Patriotic War of 1812, Caucasian Wars.
Hero of the War of 1812, Alexey Ermolov remained in people's memory as “the pacifier of the Caucasus.” Pursuing a tough military policy, Ermolov great attention devoted to the construction of fortresses, roads, clearings and the development of trade. From the very beginning, they relied on the gradual development of new territories, where military campaigns alone could not give complete success.
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Main battles: Battle of Navarino, blockade of the Dardanelles, Battle of Sinop, defense of Sevastopol.
The famous Admiral Nakhimov was called a “father-benefactor” for his fatherly care for his subordinates. For the sake of kind words"Stepanych's Fall" the sailors were ready to go through fire and water. Among Nakhimov’s contemporaries there was such an anecdote. In response to the laudatory ode sent to the admiral, he noted with irritation that the author would have given him real pleasure by delivering several hundred buckets of cabbage for the sailors. Nakhimov personally checked the quality of soldiers' rations.
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Major wars and battles: Polish uprising(1863), Khiva campaign (1873), Kokand campaign (1875-1876), Russian-Turkish war.
Skoblev was called the “white general.” Mikhail Dmitrievich earned this nickname not only because he wore a white uniform and pranced in battle on a white horse, but also for his personal qualities: caring for soldiers, virtue. “Convince the soldiers in practice that you are fatherly caring for them outside of battle, that in battle there is strength, and nothing will be impossible for you,” said Skobelev.
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Prophetic Oleg (879 - 912)
Main battles: Campaign against Byzantium, Eastern campaigns.
Semi-legendary Prophetic Oleg - Prince of Novgorod (from 879) and Kiev (from 882), unifier Ancient Rus'. He significantly expanded its borders, dealt the first blow to the Khazar Kaganate and concluded treaties with the Greeks that were beneficial for Rus'.
Pushkin wrote about him: “Glorified by victory your name: Your shield is on the gates of Constantinople."
Disagree26 Agree
Gorbaty-Shuisky (?-1565)
Major wars: Kazan campaigns, Livonian War
Boyar Gorbaty-Shuisky was one of the bravest commanders of Ivan the Terrible; he led the capture of Kazan and served as its first governor. During the last Kazan campaign, the skillful maneuver of Gorbaty-Shuisky destroyed almost the entire army of the prince on the Arsk field. Yapanchi, and then the fort behind the Arsk field and the Arsk city itself were taken. Despite his merits, Alexander was executed along with his 17-year-old son Peter. They became the only victims of the repressions of Ivan the Terrible from the entire Shuisky clan.
Disagree27 Agree
Wars: Russian Civil War, Polish campaign Red Army, Soviet-Finnish War, Japanese-Chinese War, Great Patriotic War.
Vasily Chuikov, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, was one of the most famous military leaders of the Great Patriotic War, his army defended Stalingrad, and the surrender of Nazi Germany was signed at his command post. He was called the “General Assault”. During the battles for Stalingrad, Vasily Chuikov introduced close combat tactics. It is he who is credited with creating the first mobile assault groups.
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Wars: World War I, Russian Civil War, Great Patriotic War.
Ivan Konev is considered the “second after Zhukov” Marshal of Victory. He built the Berlin Wall, freed the prisoners of Auschwitz, and saved the Sistine Madonna. In Russian history, the names of Zhukov and Konev stand together. In the 30s, they served together in the Belarusian Military District, and the army commander gave Konev a symbolic nickname - “Suvorov”. During the Great Patriotic War, Konev justified this title. He has dozens of successful front-line operations under his belt.
Vasilevsky was actually the third, after Stalin and Zhukov, figure in the Soviet military leadership in 1942-1945. His assessments of the military-strategic situation were unmistakable. Headquarters directed the Chief of the General Staff to the most critical sectors of the front. The unprecedented Manchurian operation is still considered the pinnacle of military leadership.
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Dmitry Khvorostinin (1535/1540-1590)
Wars: Russian-Crimean Wars, Livonian War, Cheremis Wars, Russian-Swedish Wars.
Dmitry Khvorostinin is one of the best commanders of the second half of the 16th century. In the essay of the English ambassador Giles Fletcher “On the Russian State” (1588-1589) he is presented as “the main husband among them (Russians), most used in wartime" Historians highlight the extraordinary frequency of Khvorostinin’s battles and campaigns, as well as a record number of parochial lawsuits against him.
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Mikhail Shein (late 1570s - 1634)
Wars and conflicts: Serpukhov campaign (1598), Battle of Dobrynichi (1605), Bolotnikov's Uprising (1606), Russian-Polish War(1609-1618), Defense of Smolensk (1609-1611), Russian-Polish War (1632-1634), Siege of Smolensk (1632-1634).
Commander and statesman Russia XVII century, hero of the defense of Smolensk, Mikhail Borisovich Shein was a representative of the Old Moscow nobility. During the defense of Smolensk, Shein personally took up the fortification of the city and developed a network of scouts who reported on the movements of the Polish-Lithuanian troops. The 20-month defense of the city, which tied the hands of Sigismund III, contributed to the growth of the patriotic movement in Russia and, ultimately, to the victory of the Second Pozharsky and Minin militia.
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Ivan Patrikeev (1419-1499)
Wars and campaigns: War with the Tatars, campaign against Novgorod, campaign against the Tver Principality
Governor of Moscow and chief governor of the Grand Dukes of Moscow Vasily II the Dark and Ivan III. Was for the last one" right hand» when resolving any conflicts. Representative of the princely family of Patrikeevs. On his father's side, he is a direct descendant of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas. He fell into disgrace and was tonsured a monk.
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Daniil Kholmsky (? - 1493)
Wars: Russian-Kazan Wars, Moscow-Novgorod Wars (1471), Campaign against Akhmat Khan on the river. Oku (1472), Standing on the river. Ugre (1480), Russo-Lithuanian War (1487-1494).
Russian boyar and governor, one of the outstanding military leaders of Grand Duke Ivan III. Decisive action Prince Kholmsky largely ensured Russian success in the confrontation on the Ugra, the Daniliev peace with the Livonians was named after him, thanks to his victories Novgorod was annexed, and his own man was planted in Kazan.
Disagree35 Agree
Main battles: Battle of Navarino, defense of Sevastopol.
Famous naval commander, vice admiral Russian fleet, hero and chief of defense of Sevastopol in Crimean War. Kornilov died during the bombing of Sevastopol, but died with the order “We are defending Sevastopol. Surrender is out of the question. There will be no retreat. Whoever orders a retreat, stab him.”
Russia and its inhabitants have always been peaceful and hospitable towards other nations. However, they constantly had to wage war throughout their existence. These were not always defensive wars. During the formation of the state, Russia had to, among other things, conquer lands for itself. But still, basically the country had to constantly defend itself from numerous enemies.
When talking about the great commanders of Russia, it is very difficult to single out the most significant of them.
Great commanders of Russia
How many of them have existed over the centuries-old history of the country? Most likely, more than one thousand. Someone constantly fought for the country, but time has not preserved their names. And someone accomplished one great feat and became famous throughout the centuries. And they were huge amount wonderful and brave princes, governors and officers, whose only feat went unnoticed.
The great commanders of Russia are a very broad topic, so we can only briefly talk about the most famous of them. If we start from the period of formation of the Russian state, then the most bright personality of that time - the defender of Rus' from attacks of the Pechenegs, Polovtsians and Khazars, Prince Svyatoslav, who lived in the 10th century. He saw danger in the weak borders of the state and constantly strengthened them, spending almost all his time on campaigns. Svyatoslav died like a true warrior - in battle.
- Prince Oleg (Prophetic)
Prophetic Oleg (879 - 912) Main battles: Campaign against Byzantium, Eastern campaigns. The semi-legendary Prophetic Oleg is the prince of Novgorod (from 879) and Kiev (from 882), the unifier of Ancient Rus'. He significantly expanded its borders, dealt the first blow to the Khazar Kaganate and concluded treaties with the Greeks that were beneficial for Rus'. Pushkin wrote about him: “Your name is glorified by victory: Your shield is on the gates of Constantinople.”
- Prince Svyatoslav
Prince Svyatoslav (942–972) Wars: Khazar campaign, Bulgarian campaigns, war with Byzantium Karamzin called Prince Svyatoslav “Russian Macedonian”, historian Grushevsky - “Cossack on the throne”. Svyatoslav was the first to make an active attempt at extensive land expansion. He successfully fought with the Khazars and Bulgarians, but the campaign against Byzantium ended in a truce that was unfavorable for Svyatoslav. He died in a battle with the Pechenegs. Svyatoslav is a cult figure. His famous “I’m coming to you” is still quoted today.
- Monomakh Vladimir Vsevolodovich
- Nevsky Alexander Yaroslavich
Alexander Nevsky (1220–1263) Main battles: Battle of the Neva, war with the Lithuanians, Battle of the Ice. Even if you don’t remember the famous Battle of the Ice and the Battle of the Neva, Alexander Nevsky was an extremely successful commander. He made successful campaigns against German, Swedish and Lithuanian feudal lords. In particular, in 1245, with the Novgorod army, Alexander defeated the Lithuanian prince Mindovg, who attacked Torzhok and Bezhetsk. Having released the Novgorodians, Alexander, with the help of his squad, pursued the remnants of the Lithuanian army, during which he defeated another Lithuanian detachment near Usvyat. In total, judging by the sources that have reached us, Alexander Nevsky conducted 12 military operations and did not lose in any of them.
Perhaps the most famous commander Russia, about whom almost everyone knows, is Prince Alexander Nevsky, the defender of Rus' from the Swedish and German knights. He lived in the 13th century, during a turbulent time of active spread Livonian Order to the Baltic lands neighboring Novgorod. The conflict with the knights was very undesirable and dangerous for Rus', since it was not only about the seizure of territory, but also about the issue of faith. Rus' was Christian, and the knights were Catholics. In the summer of 1240, 55 Swedish ships landed on the banks of the Neva. Prince Alexander secretly arrived at their camp site and on July 15 unexpectedly attacked them. The Swedes were defeated, and the prince received a new name - Nevsky. The second battle with foreign invaders took place in the winter of 1242. In order to finally expel the enemy from the Novgorod land, Alexander Nevsky set out on a campaign against the Livonian Order. To meet the enemy, the prince chose a narrow isthmus between two lakes. And this battle was successfully won.
- Donskoy Dmitry Ivanovich
Dmitry Donskoy (1350–1389) Wars and battles: War with Lithuania, war with Mamai and Tokhtomysh Dmitry Ivanovich was nicknamed “Don” for his victory in the Battle of Kulikovo. Despite all the contradictory assessments of this battle and the fact that the period of yoke continued for almost 200 years, Dmitry Donskoy is deservedly considered one of the main defenders of the Russian land. Sergius of Radonezh himself blessed him for the battle.
It is impossible to imagine the brilliant galaxy of great Russian commanders without Prince Dimitri Ivanovich (Donskoy), the first Russian commander to defeat the Horde army. He was the first to transfer his throne to his son, without asking permission from the Khan of the Golden Horde.
The famous Kulikovo Massacre, the main feat of the Great Moscow Prince Dmitry, took place on September 8, 1380. The prince himself fought in simple armor in the vanguard, which was completely destroyed by the Tatars. But the prince, crushed by a tree, survived. Well-ordered troops and the help of allies helped defeat the forces of the Horde, led by Khan Mamai.
- Ermak Timofeevich
Ermak (? -1585) Merits: Conquest of Siberia. Ermak Timofeevich is a semi-legendary character. We do not even know for sure the date of his birth, but this does not in any way diminish his merits. It is Ermak who is considered the “conqueror of Siberia.” He did this almost of his own free will - Grozny wanted to bring him back “under pain of great disgrace” and use him “to protect the Perm region.” When the king wrote the decree, Ermak had already conquered the capital of Kuchum.
- Ivan IV (Grozny)
- Pozharsky Dmitry Mikhailovich
Pozharsky Dmitry Mikhailovich is another famous commander who led the struggle of the Russian people in the Time of Troubles against the Polish invaders. He participated in the first and second people's militia and led the liberation of Moscow from Polish garrison. He proposed to choose the king last heir from the family of Rurik Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov.
- Peter I (the Great)
18th century opens great king and commander Peter I. He preferred not to rely on the forces of others and always led his army himself. Back in early childhood Peter started studying military training, organizing fights with village boys in a small fortress built for him. He completely built the Russian fleet, organized a new regular army. Peter I fought with Ottoman Khanate and won the Northern War, allowing Russian ships to enter the Baltic Sea.
- Suvorov Alexander Vasilievich
- Pugachev Emelyan Ivanovich
- Ushakov Fedor Fedorovich
Fyodor Ushakov (1744–1817) Main battles: Battle of Fidonisi, Battle of Tendra (1790), Battle of Kerch (1790), Battle of Kaliakria (1791), Siege of Corfu (1798, assault: February 18-20, 1799). Fyodor Ushakov is a famous Russian commander who never knew defeat. Ushakov did not lose a single ship in battles, not a single one of his subordinates was captured. In 2001, the Russian Orthodox Church canonized Theodore Ushakov as a righteous warrior.
- Kutuzov Mikhail Illarionovich
Major wars and battles: Storm of Izmail, Battle of Austerlitz, Patriotic War of 1812: Battle of Borodino. Mikhail Kutuzov is a famous commander. When he distinguished himself in the Russian-Turkish war, Catherine II said: “Kutuzov must be protected. He will be a great general for me." Kutuzov was wounded twice in the head. Both wounds were considered fatal at that time, but Mikhail Illarionovich survived. In the Patriotic War, having assumed command, he retained the tactics of Barclay de Tolly and continued to retreat until he decided to give a general battle - the only one in the entire war. As a result, the Battle of Borodino, despite the ambiguity of the results, became one of the largest and bloodiest in the entire 19th century. More than 300 thousand people took part in it on both sides, and almost a third of this number were wounded or killed.
What is the most powerful weapon? Nuclear! Or maybe space technologies or the latest defense systems are coming to the fore? No! The most important weapon is people! The history of Russia is the courage, honor and bravery of our commanders. Ingenuity and competent tactics are what distinguish the heroes presented below. So, 30 great commanders in the entire history of Russia 1. Oleg Prince (Prophetic Oleg)
Prince of Novgorod (from 879) and Kiev (from 882), unifier of Ancient Rus'. He expanded its borders, dealt the first blow to the Khazar Kaganate, and concluded treaties with the Greeks that were beneficial for Rus'. The legendary commander about whom Pushkin wrote: “Your name is glorified by victory: Your shield is on the gates of Constantinople.” 2. Svyatoslav Prince 942 – 972
Prince of Novgorod, Grand Duke Kyiv from 945 to 972. The famous ancient Russian commander went down in history as a warrior prince. Karamzin called him the Russian Alexander of Macedno. Having lived only about 30 years, for the last 8 of them Svyatoslav personally led his squads on campaigns. And he invariably defeated stronger opponents or achieved a profitable peace with them. Killed in battle. 3. Monomakh Vladimir Vsevolodovich (1053 – 1125)
Prince of Rostov, Chernigov, Pereyaslavl, Grand Duke of Kiev (1113-1125), an outstanding ancient Russian statesman, military leader, writer, thinker. The best Russian commander of his time, Vladimir won one victory after another on the battlefield of Monomakh. From the age of 13 to 25, he had already completed 20 military campaigns - “great paths”, in the words of Monomakh himself. In total, there will be 83 “great paths” in his life. His Greek nickname, inherited from the Byzantine emperor, translates as “Combatant.” 4. Nevsky Alexander Yaroslavich (1221 – 1263)
Prince of Novgorod, Grand Duke of Kiev, Grand Duke of Vladimir. An outstanding Russian commander and statesman. His victories in the Battle of the Neva and the Battle of Lake Peipus brought him posthumous fame, which surpassed the prince's lifetime fame. The image of Saint Prince Alexander Nevsky, defender of the Orthodox faith, grew from century to century... 5. Ivan III Vasilievich January 22 (1440 - 1505)
The Grand Duke of Moscow from 1462 to 1505, also began to be called the Sovereign, under him Moscow was freed from the Horde yoke. Ivan the Great himself did not personally lead any operation or battle, but one can speak of him as the supreme commander-in-chief. And the results of the wars of the reign of Ivan III are the most successful in the entire history of Muscovite Rus'. 6. Ivan IV the Terrible August 25 (1530 – 1584)
The reign of Ivan the Terrible (1547-1584) is one of the key moments in Russian history. It was during these years that the fragments of the Golden Horde were put to an end - the Kazan and Astrakhan khanates, Russia achieved significant territorial expansion in the east, having crossed the Urals, beginning the development of Siberia, in the west it entered into the struggle for access to the Baltic, simultaneously putting an end to another centuries-old enemy - Livonian Order. Militarily, these were perhaps the most intense years of Russian history. All this creates a temptation to recognize the sovereign under whom all this happened - Ivan IV the Terrible - as a major military figure. These kinds of characteristics are quite common in the literature. To evaluate them, one should consider those events of the Russian military history XVI century, in which Grozny personally participated. 7. Pozharsky Dmitry Mikhailovich (1577 – 1642)
Prince Dmitry (baptismal name - Kosma) Pozharsky is a national hero of Russia. Military and political figure, leader of the Second People's Militia, which liberated Moscow during the Time of Troubles. When the foundations of the state were shaken, the governor invariably demonstrated loyalty to duty and his principles: to serve only the homeland and the legitimate monarch - and not to seize opportunity. At that confusing time, the clarity of his position attracted people to him, making Pozharsky the people's leader. 8. Apraksin Fedor Matveevich (1661 – 1728)
One of the founders of the Russian fleet, associate of Peter I, admiral general, first president of the Admiralty Board. On land, Apraksin defended St. Petersburg from the Swedish army, which the Swedes were going to raze to the ground, and on the sea he inflicted a decisive defeat on them in the skerries of Gangut. 9. Peter I the Great (1672 – 1725)
“Peter attracts our attention primarily as a diplomat, as a warrior, as an organizer of victory,” Academician E. Tarle said about him. Peter the Great created a new regular Russian army and navy, defeated the Swedes and “opened a window” to Europe. With the reign of Peter, a new - imperial - period of our history begins. The entire course of the 21-year war with Sweden was determined by the will and instructions of Tsar Peter. All campaigns and battles took place with him detailed instructions and under his guiding hand. And often - with his direct participation. 10. Golitsyn Mikhail Mikhailovich (1675 – 1730)
Russian commander, field marshal general, ally of Peter I, participant and hero of the Northern War. Perhaps the best Russian military leader of the Peter I era. “The winners are not judged,” Peter said about him after Golitsyn disobeyed his order to retreat and took the impregnable Noteburg. “I have never heard or seen such fire and decent action from our soldiers since I began to serve,” the king responded about his other battle... And for the naval victory at Grenham he awarded him a sword studded with diamonds. 11. Minikh Christopher Antonovich (1683 – 1767)
He gained fame as an invincible field marshal, a successor to the work of Peter the Great. Under his command, the Russian army first invaded Crimea and took the capital of the Khanate, Bakhchisarai. It was he who laid the foundation for the victorious wars between Russia and the Porte, opening new page Russian military glory. The most active military leader during the reign of Anna Ioannovna, statesman, engineer. 12. Spiridov Grigory Andreevich (1713 – 1790)
Outstanding Russian naval commander, full admiral (1769). The admiral's long naval career led him to the Mediterranean Sea - to his main battle at Chesma. Then, in one night, the Turks lost 63 ships in Chesme Bay - battleships, caravels, galleys, and galliots. Turkish losses amounted to more than 10,000 people. The losses of the Russian combined squadron amounted to 11 people: 8 on the battleship "Europe", 3 on the battleship "Don't Touch Me". 13. Rumyantsev Pyotr Alexandrovich (1725 - 1796)
Russian military and statesman, count, for many years ruler of Little Russia. A participant in the Seven Years' War, commander of Russian troops in the wars with Turkey under Catherine II, hero of the battles of Larga and Kagul, was awarded the title "Transdanubian". Field Marshal General (1770). Brilliantly demonstrated in the iconic battles of the Seven Years and Two Russian-Turkish wars the effectiveness of the principles of offensive strategy and tactics formulated by him. Count Pyotr Alexandrovich is rightfully considered the founder of Russian military doctrine. 14. Suvorov Alexander Vasilievich (1729 - 1800)
Count of Rymniksky (1789), Prince of Italy (1799). Generalissimo (1799). Great Russian commander and military theorist. The military genius of Suvorov is reflected in the coined formulation: “he did not lose a single battle, and all of them were won with the numerical superiority of the enemy.” A bright man in all respects, he became famous among his contemporaries not only for his victories, but also for his originality or, as they said then, eccentricities. For us, descendants, the lessons of Suvorov are his entire military journey, from Berlin and Warsaw to Izmail and Ochakov, from the Volga to the Alps. 15. Potemkin Grigory Alexandrovich (1739 – 1791)
G.A. Potemkin-Tavrichesky - an outstanding Russian statesman and military figure, His Serene Highness Prince, organizer of Novorossiya, founder of cities, favorite of Catherine II, field marshal general. The great Suvorov wrote about his commander Potemkin in 1789: “He is an honest man, he is a kind man, he is a great man: it is my happiness to die for him.” 16. Ushakov Fedor Fedorovich (1744 – 1817)
Great Russian naval commander, admiral, commander of the Black Sea Fleet. I never knew defeat in naval battles. Already today Russian Orthodox Church ranked him among the general church saints in the ranks of the righteous. 17. Kutuzov Mikhail Illarionovich (1745 – 1813)
Great Russian commander. Count, His Serene Highness Prince of Smolensk. Field Marshal General. Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army during the Patriotic War of 1812. His life was spent in battles. His personal bravery earned him not only many awards, but also two wounds to the head - both considered fatal. The fact that he survived both times and returned to duty seemed a sign: Golenishchev-Kutuzov was destined for something great. The answer to the expectations of his contemporaries was the victory over Napoleon, the glorification of which by descendants raised the figure of the commander to epic proportions. 18. Bagration Pyotr Ivanovich (1765 - 1812)
"Lion of the Russian Army", hero of 1812. IN turning points battle, General Pyotr Ivanovich Bagration, sometimes dismounted, went on the attack or to the battle line... Throughout military career Bagration did not suffer a single defeat. 19. Nakhimov Pavel Stepanovich (1802 – 1855)
Russian admiral, hero of the defense of Sevastopol in 1854-1855, who occupies an exceptional place among the remarkable Russian naval commanders as one of the most prominent representatives of the school of Russian military art. Nakhimov saw service in the navy as the only meaning and purpose of his life. 20. Kornilov Vladimir Alekseevich (1806 - 1854)
Famous naval commander, vice admiral of the Russian fleet, hero and chief of defense of Sevastopol in the Crimean War. Kornilov died during the first bombing, but his short emotional order remained with the defenders of the city of Russian glory: “We are defending Sevastopol. Surrender is out of the question. There will be no retreat. Whoever orders a retreat, stab him.” 21. Skobelev Mikhail Dmitrievich (1843 - 1882)
“Convince the soldiers in practice that you are fatherly caring for them outside of battle, that in battle there is strength, and nothing will be impossible for you,” said Skobelev. And with this conviction he won Central Asia and in the Balkans. The conqueror of Khiva and liberator of Bulgaria, he went down in history under the name of the “white general”. 22. Brusilov Alexey Alekseevich (1853 – 1926)
Russian and Soviet military leader, hero of the First World War, cavalry general. After the revolution he went over to the side of the Soviet regime. It was this person who was most often remembered in Soviet times and is remembered now when it comes to the history of the First World War. One of the most striking operations of this period was named after the general - “ Brusilovsky breakthrough» 1916. 23. Denikin Anton Ivanovich (1872 – 1947)
