Alexander Rutskoy
Alexander Vladimirovich Rutskoy (Russian: Александр Владимирович Руцкой; born 16 September 1947) is a Russian politician and former Soviet military officer who served as the only vice president of Russia from 1991 to 1993. He was proclaimed acting president following Boris Yeltsin's impeachment during the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis, in which he played a key role.
Alexander Rutskoy | |
|---|---|
Александр Руцкой | |
Rutskoy in 2016 | |
| Acting President of Russia (disputed) | |
| In office 22 September 1993 – 4 October 1993 | |
| Preceded by | Boris Yeltsin |
| Succeeded by | Boris Yeltsin |
| Vice President of Russia | |
| In office 10 July 1991 – 4 October 1993 | |
| President | Boris Yeltsin |
| Preceded by | Office created |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| President | Boris Yeltsin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 September 1947 Proskuriv, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now Ukraine) |
| Citizenship | Soviet (1947–1991) Russian (1991–present) |
| Political party | Patriots of Russia (until 2021) |
| Spouse(s) | Nellie Zolotukhin (div.) Lyudmila Novikova (div.) Irina Popova |
| Children | Dmitry Alexander Rostislav Catherine |
| Awards | Hero of the Soviet Union (1988) |
| Signature | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Soviet Union Russia |
| Branch/service | Soviet Air Force Russian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1971–1993 |
| Rank | Major general |
Born in Proskuriv, Ukraine (modern Khmelnytskyi), Rutskoy served with great distinction as an air force officer during the Soviet–Afghan War, for which he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. In the 1991 Russian presidential election, he was chosen by Boris Yeltsin to be his vice-presidential running mate, but later became increasingly critical of Yeltsin's economic and foreign policies. In late September 1993, Yeltsin ordered the unconstitutional dissolution of the Russian parliament. In response, the parliament immediately annulled his decree, impeached him and proclaimed Rutskoy acting president. After a two-week standoff and popular unrest, Yeltsin ordered the military to storm the parliament building, arrested Rutskoy and formally dismissed him as vice president. He was imprisoned until early 1994 when the State Duma granted him amnesty.
In 1996, Rutskoy was elected governor of Kursk Oblast, a post he held until 2000. He was barred from seeking a second term by a regional court over alleged abuse of power.