The passing of Russia’s former Deputy Defense Minister, Army General Igor Puzanov, is attributed to cancer, according to reports from IA Regnum citing its sources. The news notes that the general, who held important leadership roles within the Russian military structure, died on the evening of October 22 at the age of 76 after a prolonged battle with illness. The account highlights a career marked by extensive service that spanned several decades and significant regional assignments.
Puzanov’s early life traces back to Tyumen, where he was born in January 1947. He pursued formal military education at the Frunze Military Academy, completing studies in 1976, a qualification that prepared him for command responsibilities in the field. His early career included command assignments at the regiment level, and his trajectory soon led him to international duties, including deployment to Afghanistan as part of Russia’s military operations in the region.
As his career progressed, Puzanov advanced through senior staff roles following his graduation from the Military Academy of the General Staff. He later led the army headquarters in the Baltic Military District, a position that underscored his strategic importance within the force structure. Subsequently, he served as a commander within the North Caucasus Military District, a tenure that reflected his involvement in some of the most demanding operational theaters associated with the modern Russian military landscape.
In related developments, reports indicate that Chechen journalist, author, and political figure Alvi Karimov died on October 20 at the age of 73. Karimov held a notable public profile, including a tenure as press secretary to Ramzan Kadyrov, the president of Chechnya, from March 2009 to April 2020. His contributions to journalism and public discourse were recognized with honors such as the title of Honorary Citizen of the Chechen Republic in 2004 and the status of Honored Journalist of the Chechen Republic in 2010. These recognitions reflected Karimov’s influence in regional media and political commentary over the years.
Earlier reports also noted the death of a blogger known as Uncle Slava, a figure who had attracted attention within online communities. The news surrounding these individuals adds to the ongoing documentation of notable figures in the region who shaped the information landscape through military, political, and journalistic avenues. (Citation: IA Regnum; additional context from regional media reports.)