Alexander Zelin

In this name that follows Eastern Slavic naming customs, the patronymic is Nikolayevich and the family name is Zelin.
Alexander Nikolayevich Zelin
Native name
Александр Николаевич Зелин
Born (1953-05-06) 6 May 1953 (age 71)
Perevalsk, Ukrainian SSR, USSR
Allegiance Soviet Union
 Russia
Years of service1976–2012
RankColonel General
CommandsRussian Air Force
AwardsOrder of St. George , Order of Merit

Alexander Nikolayevich Zelin (Russian: Александр Николаевич Зелин; born 6 May 1953) served as Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force[1] from 9 May 2007 until 27 April 2012. Zelin holds the Air Force rank of colonel-general. Since May 2012 Zelin has been an adviser to the Russian Defence Minister.[citation needed]

Biography

Zelin and Putin at MAKS 2011

Alexander Zelin was born on 6 May 1953, in Perevalsk, Voroshilovgrad region (now Luhansk Oblast in eastern Ukraine). He graduated from Kharkov Higher Aviation School of Pilots in 1976, Gagarin Air Force Academy in 1988, and General Staff Academy in 1997.

From August 2002 to May 2007 he served as Chief of aviation – Air Force Deputy Commander-in-Chief for aviation.

On May 9, 2007, he became the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, replacing Army General Vladimir Mikhaylov.

On April 27, 2012, he was dismissed from his post and military service. No reason was given.[2] He was succeeded by Viktor Bondarev.

Honours and awards

Russian Federation

Soviet Union

References

  1. ^ Russia Air Force Handbook. Int'l Business Publications. 2007-02-07. pp. 229–. ISBN 9781433041150. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  2. ^ http://www.armstass.su/?page=article&aid=106155&cid=25 Archived 2014-07-14 at the Wayback Machine (in Russian)
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Military offices
Preceded by Commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force
9 May 2007 - 27 April 2012 		Succeeded by
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