On September 25, 2021 Deputy Commander of Russian Southern Military Okrug, Lieutenant-General Rustam Muradov presented to Armenia’s Minister of Defense Arshak Karapetyan the newly appointed commander of Russian peacekeeping forces in Artsakh, Russia’s hero, Lieutenant-General Gennady Anashkin.

1.    How old is Genady Anashkin?

On December 17, 2021 Gennady Anashkin will become 53. He was born in the city of Kuibyshev (now Samara). In June 1987 he was called to service in the Soviet Army which he passed in the Group of Soviet troops in Germany.

In August 1989 he entered Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School after graduation of which, in 1993, was assigned to serve in 337 Guard Parachute-Airborne Regiment.

2.    What elite division did Gennady Anashkin command?

From August 2012 to August 2014 Gennady Anashkin commanded 31st Separate Guard Air-Assault Brigade.

3.    What for did Gennady Anashkin receive the title of Hero of Russia?

With the decree of the President of the Russian Federation on September 5, 2008 Gennady Anashkin was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation for courage and heroism shown in implementation of military service during combat actions on the territory of South Ossetia and Georgia. At that time he was the commander of 104th Guard Air-Assault Regiment.

4.    What do the Ukrainian law enforcement bodies accuse Gennady Anashkin of?

According to the Ukrainian prosecutor’s office, in March 2014, the commander of the 31st Separate Guard Air-Assault Brigade, with over 50 servicemen under his commandership, surrounded and blocked A3320 (36th separate brigade of coastal defense of Ukraine’s naval forces).

5.    In what peacekeeping operations was Gennady Anashkin engaged?

From December 1999 to August 2000 Gennady Anashkin commanded Parachute Battalion as part of peacekeeping forces in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.