Viktor Astapov

Astapov was born on 9 December 1962 in Tikhoretsk, Krasnodar Krai, then part of the Russian SFSR, in the USSR.[1] Inspired by the 1971 film Officers, Astapov decided on a career in the military, and settled on the Soviet Airborne Forces.[2] After failing to gain entry to the Ryazan Guards Higher Airborne Command School on his first attempt, Astapov spent a year studying physics at Rostov State University, before succeeding in applying to the Ryazan Airborne School. He graduated in 1985 and went to serve in a regimental reconnaissance company of the Soviet Airborne Forces based in Tula.[1][2] The following year he was appointed commander of the company, and went with them to Baku, where he was posted during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. He subsequently received the Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" Third Class for his service in policing the rising tensions.[2] On his return to Russia he was appointed chief of staff of a paratrooper battalion of the 106th Guards Airborne Division, becoming its commander two and a half years later.[2]

Astapov in 2006, while commander of the 7th Guards Mountain Air Assault Division

Astapov then carried out studies at the Frunze Military Academy, graduating in 1996 and becoming deputy commander of the 21st Airborne Brigade, which was seconded to Chechnya during the First and Second Chechen Wars.[1][2] In 1999 he was given command of the 51st Guards Airborne Regiment, and took charge of the regiment's withdrawal from Chechnya. Despite continuing attacks on withdrawing Russian forces, Astapov brought off the withdrawal with minimal losses, and was awarded the Order of Courage, and the Medal "For Distinction in Military Service", first and second classes.[2] He then became commander of the 7th Guards Mountain Air Assault Division between 2005 and 2007.[1][3] He graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces in 2009, and was then appointed to the post of chief of staff and first deputy commander of the Siberian Military District.[1]

From January 2011 Astapov served as chief of staff and deputy commander of the 49th Combined Arms Army of the Southern Military District, and in May 2012 became commander of the 49th Combined Arms Army.[1][4] As army commander he was also head of the Stavropol Territorial Garrison.[5] From December 2013 to April 2014 he was deputy commander of the Southern Military District, being promoted from general-major to general-lieutenant on 24 February 2014.[1][6][7] On 21 June 2014 he was appointed chief of staff and first deputy commander of the Western Military District.[1] As chief of staff of the Western Military District, Astapov was heavily involved in planning and carrying out the Zapad 2017 exercises.[8] On 1 August 2018, while serving as acting commander of the Western Military District, Astapov met with a Japanese military delegation in Saint Petersburg, led by Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera.[9]

In February 2019 Astapov was moved from the position of chief of staff of the Western Military District to the post of a deputy commander of the navy, with responsibility for the coastal troops.[10] It was noted at the time that Astapov had experience from participating in the Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War.[10] His replacement as chief of staff of the Western Military District was Lieutenant-General Aleksei Zavizon.[10]

Over his career Astapov has been awarded the Order of Courage, the Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" Third Class, and the Order of Military Merit, as well as a number of medals.[1] He is married, with a son.[1]