Igor Sergeyev

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Igor Dmitriyevich Sergeyev
April 20, 1938 – November 10, 2006 (aged 68)

Place of birth	Verkhnye, Ukraine
Place of death	Moscow, Russia
Allegiance	Russia
Service/branch	Ground Forces Strategic Rocket Forces
Rank	Marshal of the Russian Federation

Igor Dmitriyevich Sergeyev (Russian: Игорь Дмитриевич Сергеев) (b Verkhnyu, Ukraine April 20, 1938 — d Moscow November 10, 2006) was the Defense Minister of the Russian Federation from May 22 of 1997 until March 28 of 2001. He was the first and as of 2008 the only Marshal of the Russian Federation.

[edit] Career

Sergeyev served briefly in the Soviet navy but later transferred to the army, where he spent most of his career in the Strategic Rocket Forces. Sergeyev became commander in chief of the Strategic Rocket Forces in 1992. In this position he was in charge of securing the former USSR's nuclear weapons.

[edit] Defense Minister

Sergeyev was appointed minister of defense in 1997 by Russian President Boris Yeltsin. Sergeyev accepted reform within a limited budget under civilian political control. The number of military educational establishments was reduced markedly from their previous levels, which had not changed since Soviet times. A number of army divisions were given "permanent readiness" status, which was supposed to bring them up to 80 percent manning and 100 percent equipment holdings. Sergeyev directed most of his efforts toward promoting the interests of the Strategic Rocket Forces. All military space forces were absorbed into the Strategic Rocket Forces, and the Ground Forces Headquarters was abolished. The Airborne Forces suffered some reductions, while the Naval Infantry only escaped due to their competent performance in Chechnya. Much of the available procurement monies were invested in acquiring new rockets.

Sergeyev was dismissed as defense minister in March 2001 and was replaced by Sergey Ivanov.

Igor Sergeyev was awarded the Order of the October Revolution, Order of the Red Banner of Labor, Order for Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces (3rd class), Order of the Red Star, Medal for Combat Service, and other decorations.

Sergeyev died November 10, 2006 from the effects of blood cancer.

[edit] Criticism

Sergeyev is blamed by some for not effectively acting during Dagestan War in 1999 but is also praised for the fact that the Russian military captured Chechen capital Grozny in 2000 during the Second Chechen War.^{[citation needed]} However, the ongoing fighting in the south of the republic caused some concern about his efficacy after Vladimir Putin became President.