Boris Gromov

Boris Vsevolodovich Gromov (Russian: Бори́с Все́володович Гро́мов; born 7 November 1943) is a prominent Russian military and political figure. From 2000 to 2012, he was the governor of Moscow Oblast.

In this name that follows Eastern Slavic naming conventions, the patronymic is Vsevolodovich and the family name is Gromov.
Boris Vsevolodovich Gromov
Boris Gromov as governor in 2010
Born (1943-11-07) 7 November 1943
Saratov, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Allegiance Soviet Union (1962–1991)
 Russia (1991–1994)
Service/branchSoviet Army, Russian Ground Forces
Years of service1962–1994
RankColonel General
Commands held40th Army, Kiev Military District
Battles/warsSoviet–Afghan War
AwardsHero of the Soviet Union
Signature

Biography

Born 7 November 1943 in Saratov, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union, he graduated from a Suvorov military cadet school, the Leningrad Military Commanders School and later from the Frunze Military Academy in Moscow, as well as the General Staff Academy.

During the Soviet–Afghan War, Gromov did three tours of duty (1980–1982, 1985–1986, 1987–1989), and was best known for the two years as the last Commander of the 40th Army in Afghanistan. Gromov was the last Soviet soldier to leave Afghanistan, crossing on foot the Friendship Bridge spanning the Amu-Daria river on 15 February 1989, the day the Soviet pullout from Afghanistan was completed. He received the highest military award – the golden star of the Hero of the Soviet Union after Operation Magistral had lifted the siege of the city of Khost in eastern Afghanistan.

During the Red Army withdrawal in February 1989, 30 to 40 military trucks crammed with Afghan historical treasures crossed into the Soviet Union, under orders from General Boris Gromov. He cut an antique Tekke carpet stolen from Darul Aman Palace into several pieces, and gave it to his acquaintances.[1]

After the Afghan War, he was chosen as a candidate for vice president by the Communist Party in the Russian presidential election of 1991 (the candidate for president was former premier Nikolai Ryzhkov). He served as First Deputy Defence Minister of the Russian Federation. In 1994, Gromov retired from the Russian Armed Forces, and was soon appointed deputy Interior Minister. He was elected, in 1995, to the State Duma, lower house of the Russian parliament. In January 2000, he was elected governor of the Moscow region and re-elected in December 2003.

Honours and awards
Gromov, then a colonel general, announces withdrawal of Soviet army from Afghanistan in 1989

See also

References
  1. "Soviets Looted Afghan Treasures". Wall Street Journal. 8 March 2001. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  2. "Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 25.09.2018 № 542 "О награждении государственными наградами Российской Федерации"" (in Russian). publication.pravo.gov.ru. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  3. Мария ГОРЕЛОВА (10 November 2008). "Борис Громов получил орден "За заслуги перед Отечеством"" (in Russian). kp.ru. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  4. "Уходящему губернатору Подмосковья Громову дадут орден" (in Russian). bbc.com. 30 March 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
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