Colonel General Valery Manilov Dies at 85, Marking a Notable Chapter in Russian Military Leadership
Colonel General Valery Leonidovich Manilov, a prominent figure who served as the First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, has passed away at the age of 85. Reports from TASS, citing Nikolai Deryabin, a representative of the Military Leaders Club of the Russian Federation, confirm the death after a prolonged illness. The notice described Manilov’s age and the length of his illness, underscoring the enduring impact of his service on Russian security structures. (TASS)
The official statement indicated that Manilov died following a protracted and serious illness at a leading military medical facility, the Central Military Clinical Hospital named after P. Mandrykin. The same source noted that his retirement from the Armed Forces occurred after a long and distinguished career in which he held the position of First Deputy Chief of the General Staff. His passing prompts reflections on the career trajectory of a man who spent decades shaping strategic doctrine and military reform within Russia’s defense apparatus. (TASS)
According to Deryabin, the farewell ceremony for Manilov was planned for July 3 at the military memorial cemetery in Mytishchi, near Moscow. The setting for the farewell is a customary honor in Russia, aligning with traditions of recognizing high-ranking officers who have contributed to national security and the modernization of the armed forces. (TASS)
Manilov’s career included a period as Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of Russia, a role that placed him at the intersection of military affairs and national security policy. In 1996, he rose to the position of First Deputy Chief of the General Staff, a role that involved oversight of operational planning and the implementation of reforms intended to adapt Russia’s armed forces to post-Soviet realities. His work also encompassed information support for federal forces during the second Chechen campaign, a conflict that tested the country’s military procedures and public communication strategies. His efforts in information support helped shape how actions in Chechnya were presented to the public and coordinated with broader security objectives. (TASS)
The broader arc of Manilov’s service reflects a period of substantial transition within the Russian military establishment, as leadership sought to modernize doctrine, command structures, and reform measures in a challenging strategic environment. His contributions, particularly in high-level staff leadership and strategic communications, are often cited by analysts who study post-Soviet military reform and the evolution of Russia’s national defense posture. The details surrounding his ascent through the General Staff, and his influence on reform initiatives, highlight the ways in which senior officers helped shape Russia’s operational readiness and strategic messaging during a transformative era. (TASS)
In related news, the Research and Production Company Uralvagonzavod—an important defense enterprise—was mentioned in reports concerning the passing of General Alexei Maslov, the former Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces. Maslov’s death, at age 69, was noted as part of a succession of veteran generals who had led and redefined various branches of the Russian military over the years. This context underscores the broader pattern of leadership transitions within the armed forces and the ongoing public interest in the experiences and legacies of senior officers. (TASS)
Valery Manilov’s career, including his role in the General Staff and his involvement in the development of military reform, remains part of Russia’s contemporary military history. Observers and veterans alike remember his contributions to strategic planning, force posture, and the information landscape surrounding federal military operations during times of internal security challenges. The implications of his work continue to be discussed in analyses of Russia’s defense leadership and its approach to national security in the years that followed his service. (TASS)
As the military community in Russia and supporters around the world reflect on Manilov’s tenure, his legacy is seen through the lens of leadership during a period of significant structural change. His passage serves as a reminder of the repeated cycles of reform and continuity that define a nation’s armed forces, where senior officers guide reform agendas while ensuring continuity of command and operational capability. The funeral and memorial events, held in accordance with military tradition, provided a space for colleagues and admirers to honor a long career dedicated to national service. (TASS)
Valery Leonidovich Manilov’s story is a capsule of a complex era in Russian defense policy, illustrating how senior officers balance strategic foresight with the realities of ongoing geopolitical and domestic security challenges. His death marks the end of a noteworthy chapter in a career that spanned key transitional years for the Russian military and security apparatus, offering a lens into the leadership dynamics at the very top of the armed forces. (TASS)
End of report. (TASS)