Aleksandr Baranov (general)

Aleksandr Alekseevich Baranov (born October 29, 1946, in Omsk) is a Russian military officer, Colonel General. He is best known for his command positions in the North Caucasus Military District and his role during the Second Chechen War.

Baranov graduated from the Omsk Higher Combined Arms Command School in 1969. He served in various command positions throughout his career in the Soviet and Russian Armed Forces, including service in the Far East and Germany.

He was appointed Commander of the North Caucasus Military District in June 2000, a position he held until October 2004. During this time, he was responsible for overseeing military operations in Chechnya and other regions of the North Caucasus. He was heavily involved in the counter-terrorism operations during the Second Chechen War.

In 2004, he was appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and First Deputy Minister of Defence. He served in this role until 2008.

Baranov is a recipient of several state awards and honors for his service. His military career has been marked by his involvement in significant conflicts and security challenges within Russia.