According to the Ukrainian security service SBU, a Russian major general born in the Estonian border city Narva, Alexei Zavizyon, is commanding separatists in Donbass.
Ukraine: Russian general born in Narva, Estonia commanding separatists in Donbass
12th March 2015, 16:17
Please note that the article is more than five years old and belongs to our archive. We do not update the content of the archives, so it may be necessary to consult newer sources.
The information was posted by Markiyan Lubkivsky, adviser to the head of the Ukrainian security service, on his Facebook page on Wednesday.
Lubkivsky said Maj. Gen. Alexei Zavizyon, callsign «Alagir», has been in Donetsk since January 2015 to coordinate in his capacity as chief of staff cooperation between pro-Russian units, among other things.
«We are speaking of Major General Alexei Zavizyon, born on May 13, 1965 in the city of Narva (Estonia),» Lubkivsky said.
The adviser added that Zavizyon graduated from the tank forces' military college in Chelyabinsk in 1986 and the Malinovsky Military Academy in Moscow in 1997. He is said to have combat experience from Chechnya where he commanded the 15th motorized rifle regiment.
«According to his list of duties, «Alagir» is responsible for maneuvering artillery, MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket Systems), heavy equipment and manpower in the key sectors of hostilities in the occupied territory of the Donetsk oblast. The bloodiest and most intensive shelling of Ukrainian cities, including Mariupol and Kramatorsk, were carried out under his direct supervision and coordination,» Lubkivsky said.
He said Zavizyon's contact and possible replacement in Ukraine is Maj. Gen. Andrey Gurulyev.