Yevgeny Shaposhnikov

Yevgeny Ivanovich Shaposhnikov (Russian: Евгений Иванович Шапошников; 3 February 1942 – 8 December 2020) was a Soviet and Russian military leader and business figure. He was awarded the rank of Marshal of Aviation in 1991.

Early years

Shaposhnikov was born on a farm near Aksay in Rostov Oblast, Russia. He graduated from the Kharkov Higher Military Aviation School in 1963 and the Gagarin Air Force Academy in 1969.

Military career

Shaposhnikov joined the Soviet Air Force and rose through the ranks. In 1987–1988, Yevgeny Shaposhnikov was the air force commander of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany (16th Air Army?). In July 1990, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the Soviet Air Force.

Political career

Soviet Union

In August 1991 – February 1992, Yevgeny Shaposhnikov held the post of Minister of Defence of Soviet Union (and thus the last Soviet Defence Minister).

Commonwealth of Independent States/Russian Federation

In 1992–1993, he was commander-in-chief of the CIS Armed Forces. In June–September 1993, Yevgeny Shaposhnikov held the post of the secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

Business career

In January 1994, he became a representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the main arms-exporting company Rosvooruzhenie. In November 1995 – March 1997 he was the CEO (General Director) of Aeroflot airline company. He has been employed as an adviser of the President of the Russian Federation on matters of aviation and space exploration since March 1997.