Viktor Yerin began his career in Soviet security forces (police). Working in Tatarstan police, he participated in investigating especially dangerous criminal bands. Since 1991 Yerin served as the first deputy minister of interior of the RSFSR. In January 1992, he became Russia's interior minister. In November 1992, he led an operative staff for re-establishing constitutional order in the Ossetian-Ingush conflict region. From December 1994 to January 1995 he was in charge of the activities of the Internal Troops of Russia in Chechnya. On 30 June 1995, after the failed operation to free hostages taken by Chechen terrorists in Budyonnovsk, Yerin had to resign (as did the then-FSB director Stepashin). On 5 July 1995, Yerin was assigned the position of deputy director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service.
