Shaposhnikov Evgeny Ivanovich, whom some modern historians consider to be “the betrayer of the Soviet Union”, is the last Minister of Defense of the USSR. The reason for this attitude is that he was one of the first to quit the CPSU, stimulating the deportation of the Armed Forces. He not only refused to comply with the coup order, but also spoke out during the August events in 1991, categorically against attracting troops to storm the White House. Moreover, Evgeny Ivanovich Shaposhnikov forbade the military to intervene in the country's political events.
Biography
This aviation marshal was born on February 3, 1942 on the Bolshoy Log farm (Rostov Region). In 1963, Shaposhnikov graduated from an aviation school in Kharkov and went to serve in the Carpathian Military District. Three years later, the future air marshal enters the VVA them. Gagarin. From 1971 to 1975, he was the deputy for political affairs, and soon the commander of an aviation regiment. In 1975, Shaposhnikov returned to the Carpathian Military District. Here he was first appointed to the post of deputy, and then the commander of the aviation fighter unit.
In 1984, he was transferred to Odessa. Here he served until 1987, commanding the district air force. In 1987, Shaposhnikov leads the Group of Soviet Forces deployed in Germany, and from next year takes command of the air army there. A few months later he becomes deputy commander in chief of the Air Force. In this post, Shaposhnikov worked until the summer of 1990.
The putsch and bet on Yeltsin
During the August events of 1991, it was he who proposed to Yazov, the then Minister of Defense, to urgently disperse the GKChP and withdraw troops from the capital. After the failure of the coup on August 23, 1991, Gorbachev, while still president, signed a decree on the appointment of Evgeny Ivanovich Shaposhnikov as defense minister. This decision is submitted to the Supreme Council session. A few days later, Evgeny Ivanovich Shaposhnikov received the rank of Air Marshal. Then the Supreme Soviet of the USSR approves him as Minister of Defense. Actually, he did not stay in this position for very long - only a few months: until December.
When, at the end of 1991, Yeltsin, Kravchuk and Shushkevich, having met in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, decided to “end” the USSR, the issue of unified armed forces has not yet been resolved. Therefore, the troops could withstand this. But that did not happen. It was Marshal Shaposhnikov Evgeny Ivanovich who became the person who ensured the success of the Bialowieza Treaty.
After the collapse of the Union
He recognized the agreement on the disbandment of the USSR immediately after its signing. On December 21, 1991, Evgeny Ivanovich Shaposhnikov was appointed to the post of commander of the USSR Armed Forces until their final reformation. A few months later, in February, he becomes the Commander-in-Chief of the CIS Allied Forces.
In this post, the last air marshal stayed until September 1993, when this position was abolished. Yeltsin highly appreciated Shaposhnikov, considering him a devoted and loyal ally.
Resignation
From June to September of the same year, Yevgeny Ivanovich happened to be the Secretary of the Security Council of independent Russia. In 1994, Shaposhnikov resigned. But even then he does not stop working for the good of the country. Almost simultaneously, he becomes the representative of the President in such an organization as Rosvooruzhenie. It was this state-owned company that was engaged in the import and export of military equipment and weapons.
From 1995 to 1997, Evgeny Ivanovich Shaposhnikov was appointed to the position of Director General of the country's largest airline, Aeroflot, to “raise” Russian international airlines. But here he does not work long: after a year and a half, he becomes an assistant to the President of the country. The marshal was in charge of everything related to the development of aviation and space. Shaposhnikov Evgeny Ivanovich, whose family was never in sight, unlike many other political figures, always thought first of all about the good of the country, and only then - about personal interests.
Merits
This outstanding military man is really quite large. The behavior of the marshal has always had its impact on the worldview of the surrounding senior ranks, especially during the coup attempt. Yeltsin’s confidence that the Airborne Forces and the Air Force would not support the Emergency Committee, allowed him to plan events as clearly as possible and predict the coup’s intentions. And a lot of this was facilitated by the clear position that Evgeny Ivanovich Shaposhnikov adhered to.
Awards
Many years of productive activity and impeccable service for the benefit of the Fatherland were highly appreciated by the country's leadership. Evgeny Ivanovich was awarded two orders, including the Red Star, as well as seven medals. The contribution of this honored pilot to improving flight safety was marked in 2003 with an Honorary Diploma.