Viktor Kazantsev


Viktor Germanovich Kazantsev was an envoy of the Russian president to the Southern Federal District from 2000 to 2004. He performed primary negotiations between the Russian government and the Chechen opposition. Decorated with the Hero of the Russian Federation title, he was involved in coordinating the government responses to various violent actions in Chechnya. Kazanstev was also involved in coordinating the rescue attempt during the Moscow theatre hostage situation, which took place in October 2002.

Education

Kazantsev completed the Sverdlovsk Suvorov Military School in 1963, the Leningrad Higher Military Command School in 1966, the Frunze Military Academy in 1970 and the Soviet General Staff Academy in 1987.

Military service

Kazantsev started out as a platoon commander in 1966 and served in Transcaucasia, Central Asia, Afghanistan and with the Central Group of Forces in Czechoslovakia. He was military advisor to the government of Kazakhstan in 1991.
From 1991 to 1993 — First Deputy Chief of Staff, then – deputy commander Trans-Baikal military district combat training. From April 1993 to February 1996 – Chief of Staff, first deputy commander of the Trans-Baikal military district. From February 1996 to July 1997 – First Deputy Commander North-Caucasian Military District. From July 1997 to May 2000 – Commander of the North Caucasus Military District
From August 1999 to April 2000 — Commander of the Allied Group of Federal Forces in the North Caucasus, while maintaining the post of commander of the North Caucasus military district. In January 2001, at the post was created by Presidential Decree of the operational staff to manage counter-terrorism operations in the North Caucasus region.

Political activity

In May 2000 he was appointed President's representative in Russia Southern Federal District. On March 9, 2004 he was dismissed from this post.

Honours and awards

Soviet Union