Soviet airborne forces commander who coordinated troop deployments in the August coup
On 19 August 1991, Achalov personally directed airborne units to seize the Ostankino television centre — a key objective of the GKChP coup.
A Tatar-born Soviet colonel-general and one of the youngest generals in the USSR, promoted to major-general at 34, he rose through tank and airborne units to command the Soviet Airborne Forces (1989–1990) and serve as Deputy Minister of Defence (1990–1991). During the August 1991 coup he coordinated the movement of troops into Moscow and personally directed VDV operations to seize the Ostankino television centre. After the USSR's collapse he sided with the Supreme Soviet during the 1993 constitutional crisis, accepting the post of Defence Minister in Rutskoy's alternative government, for which he was arrested and later amnestied.
Career Timeline
- 1966–1973Tank platoon and company commander, 8th Guards Army (GSFG)
- 1973–1975Deputy commander, 243rd Training Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment, 44th Training Airborne Division
- 1975–1977Commander, 137th Guards Parachute Regiment
- 1977–1978Deputy commander, 98th Guards Airborne Division
- 1978–1982Commander, 7th Guards Airborne Division
- 1984–1985Deputy commander, 2nd Guards Tank Army (GSFG)
- 1985–1987Commander, 8th Guards Army (GSFG)
- 1987–1989Chief of Staff / First Deputy Commander, Leningrad Military District
- 1989–1990Commander, Soviet Airborne Forces (VDV)
- 1990–1991Deputy Minister of Defence, USSR
- 1993Minister of Defence, Rutskoy alternative government
- 2003–2011Chairman, Union of Russian Paratroopers
Related historical events
- 1985–1991Perestroika and Glasnostairborne commander, coordinated coup troops
- 1988–1991The Nationalities Crisis and the Collapse of Central AuthorityDeputy Defence Minister · on-site command of Vilnius operationArrived in Vilnius on 12 January 1991 and took control of all military operations, commanding the assault on the TV tower and broadcasting centre from the ground.
- 1987–1991The Baltic Independence Movement and the Baltic WaySoviet Deputy Defence Minister, field commander for the Vilnius operationArrived in Vilnius on 12 January 1991 and assumed command of all military operations.
- 1991The August Coup and the Collapse of the USSRcoordinated coup troop deployment