Viktor Kulikov
Encyclopedia
Viktor Georgiyevich Kulikov was the Warsaw Pact
commander-in-chief
from 1977 to 1989. He has held the rank of the Marshal of the Soviet Union
for over 30 years, since January 14, 1977.
Kulikov was born into a peasant family and joined the Red Army
in 1939. He saw service in World War II
and was made a Hero of the Soviet Union
.
Kulikov commanded the Kiev Military District
in 1967-1969 and the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany
in 1969–1971. From 1971 until 1977, he served as the Chief of General Staff
of the Soviet Armed Forces
. In 1983, he was awarded a Lenin Prize
. Kulikov was a member of the Soviet/Russian parliament 1989–2003. He was awarded the highest Cuba
n award, the order of Playa Girón in 2006.http://www.granma.cu/espanol/2006/diciembre/sabado30/mariscal.html
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Treaty Organization of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance , or more commonly referred to as the Warsaw Pact, was a mutual defense treaty subscribed to by eight communist states in Eastern Europe...
commander-in-chief
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...
from 1977 to 1989. He has held the rank of the Marshal of the Soviet Union
Marshal of the Soviet Union
Marshal of the Soviet Union was the de facto highest military rank of the Soviet Union. ....
for over 30 years, since January 14, 1977.
Kulikov was born into a peasant family and joined the Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
in 1939. He saw service in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and was made a Hero of the Soviet Union
Hero of the Soviet Union
The title Hero of the Soviet Union was the highest distinction in the Soviet Union, awarded personally or collectively for heroic feats in service to the Soviet state and society.-Overview:...
.
Kulikov commanded the Kiev Military District
Kiev Military District
The Kiev Military District was a Russian unit of military-administrative division of the Imperial Russian Army and subsequently of the Ukrainian Army, RKKA, and Soviet Armed Forces...
in 1967-1969 and the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany
Group of Soviet Forces in Germany
The Group of Soviet Forces in Germany , also known as the Group of Soviet Occupation Forces in Germany and the Western Group of Forces were the troops of the Soviet Army in East Germany....
in 1969–1971. From 1971 until 1977, he served as the Chief of General Staff
Chief of the General Staff (Russia)
The Chief of the General Staff is the chief of staff of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. He is appointed by the President of Russia, who is the commander-in-chief. The position dates to the period of the Russian Empire...
of the Soviet Armed Forces
Soviet Armed Forces
The Soviet Armed Forces, also called the Armed Forces of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Armed Forces of the Soviet Union refers to the armed forces of the Russian SFSR , and Soviet Union from their beginnings in the...
. In 1983, he was awarded a Lenin Prize
Lenin Prize
The Lenin Prize was one of the most prestigious awards of the USSR, presented to individuals for accomplishments relating to science, literature, arts, architecture, and technology. It was created on June 23, 1925 and was awarded until 1934. During the period from 1935 to 1956, the Lenin Prize was...
. Kulikov was a member of the Soviet/Russian parliament 1989–2003. He was awarded the highest Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n award, the order of Playa Girón in 2006.http://www.granma.cu/espanol/2006/diciembre/sabado30/mariscal.html