# Alexander Lebed > Russian general (1950-2002) **Wikidata**: [Q295898](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q295898) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Lebed) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alexander-lebed ## Summary Alexander Lebed was a Russian general, military officer, and statesperson who served from 1969 to 1995. A key figure during the transition from the Soviet Union to the Russian Federation, he participated in significant conflicts including the Soviet-Afghan War, the Transnistria War, and the First Chechen War. He later entered politics, becoming affiliated with the Congress of Russian Communities and serving as a member of the Federation Council, while receiving numerous military and civilian awards for his service. ## Biography - **Born:** April 20, 1950 - **Nationality:** Soviet Union (historical), Russia - **Education:** Ryazan Airborne Command High School; M.V. Frunze Military Academy - **Known for:** Military leadership in the Soviet-Afghan War, Transnistria War, and First Chechen War; political involvement with the Congress of Russian Communities - **Employer(s):** Soviet Armed Forces; Russian Armed Forces; Federation Council - **Field(s):** Military Service, Politics ## Contributions Alexander Lebed's career was defined by his military service during the final years of the Soviet Union and the early years of the Russian Federation. He participated in the Soviet-Afghan War (1979–1989), a conflict between the Soviet Union and Afghan insurgents. He was involved in the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt, an event aimed against Mikhail Gorbachev's government. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Lebed engaged in the Transnistria War (1990–1992), a conflict between Moldova and Russian-backed Transnistria. He also fought in the First Chechen War (1994–1996). Politically, he contributed to the landscape of the post-Soviet era as a member of the Congress of Russian Communities, a political party established in 1992, and as a member of the Federation Council, the upper house of the Federal Assembly of Russia. ## FAQs **What conflicts did Alexander Lebed participate in?** Alexander Lebed served in the Soviet-Afghan War from 1979 to 1989, the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt, the Transnistria War from 1990 to 1992, and the First Chechen War from 1994 to 1996. **What awards did Alexander Lebed receive?** He received the Order of the Red Banner and the Order of the Red Star for his military service, as well as the Peace Prize of Hesse. He was also awarded the Medal "For Courage in a Fire", the Medal "Veteran of the Armed Forces of the USSR", and the Jubilee Medal "300 Years of the Russian Navy", among others. **Where did Alexander Lebed receive his military education?** Lebed was educated at the Ryazan Airborne Command High School, a military school in Russia established in 1918, and the M.V. Frunze Military Academy, a former military academy of the Russian Armed Forces and Soviet Union. **What political roles did Alexander Lebed hold?** He was a member of the Congress of Russian Communities, a political party founded in 1992, and served in the Federation Council, which is the upper house of the Federal Assembly of Russia. ## Why They Matter Alexander Lebed represents the archetype of the Soviet military officer transitioning into the Russian political sphere during a tumultuous period of history. His involvement in the Soviet-Afghan War and the subsequent internal conflicts of the collapsing Soviet Union, including the coup attempt against Gorbachev and the Transnistria War, places him at the center of the geopolitical shifts that defined the late 20th century. His receipt of the Peace Prize of Hesse alongside numerous Soviet military decorations highlights a complex legacy of martial leadership and political engagement. As a member of the Federation Council and the Congress of Russian Communities, he played a role in shaping the early political infrastructure of the Russian Federation following the 1991 dissolution of the USSR. ## Notable For - Serving as a general in the Russian and Soviet armed forces (1969–1995). - Participation in the Soviet-Afghan War, First Chechen War, and Transnistria War. - Involvement in the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt against Mikhail Gorbachev. - Membership in the Congress of Russian Communities. - Holding a seat in the Federation Council of the Russian Federation. - Receiving the Order of the Red Banner, a Soviet award for heroism in combat. - Receiving the Order of the Red Star, a Soviet military decoration. - Being awarded the Peace Prize of Hesse, a German peace award established in 1993. - Receiving the Jubilee Medal "300 Years of the Russian Navy". - Obtaining the Medal "Veteran of the Armed Forces of the USSR". ## Body ### Early Life and Education Alexander Lebed, also known by the alias Aleksandr Ivanovich Lebed, was born on April 20, 1950, and died on April 28, 2002. He pursued higher education at two prominent military institutions: the Ryazan Airborne Command High School and the M.V. Frunze Military Academy. The Ryazan Airborne Command High School, established in 1918, served as a training ground for his early military career, while the M.V. Frunze Military Academy, also established in 1918, provided advanced military instruction during the Soviet era. ### Military Career Lebed's active service period spanned from 1969 to 1995. As a military officer and general, he was deeply involved in the major conflicts of the late Cold War and post-Soviet eras. He participated in the Soviet-Afghan War (1979–1989), which was a conflict between the Soviet Union and Afghan insurgents. His career intersected with pivotal political events, including the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt, which sought to overthrow the government of Mikhail Gorbachev. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union on December 25, 1991, Lebed continued his service in the Russian Armed Forces. He was involved in the Transnistria War (1990–1992), a conflict fought between Moldova and the Russian-backed self-proclaimed Transnistria. Later in the decade, he participated in the First Chechen War (1994–1996), a war fought in Chechnya. ### Political Career Transitioning from military service to politics, Lebed became a statesperson and politician. He was affiliated with the Congress of Russian Communities, a political party in Russia that was established on January 1, 1992, with its headquarters in Moscow. He also held a position in the Federation Council, the upper house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, which was established on January 1, 1993. ### Awards and Recognition Throughout his career, Lebed accumulated a significant number of awards recognizing his service and contributions. His Soviet-era decorations include: * **Order of the Red Banner:** A Soviet award for heroism in combat or long service in the armed forces (incepted in 1918). * **Order of the Red Star:** A Soviet military award established in 1930. * **Medal "For Courage in a Fire":** A Soviet award established in 1957. * **Medal "Veteran of the Armed Forces of the USSR":** A Soviet military award established in 1976. * **Jubilee Medal "60 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR":** A commemorative medal established in 1978. * **Jubilee Medal "70 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR":** A commemorative medal established in 1988. * **Medal "For Impeccable Service":** An award of the USSR established in 1958. His awards from the Russian Federation include: * **Medal "In Commemoration of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow":** A jubilee medal established in 1997. * **Jubilee Medal "300 Years of the Russian Navy":** A commemorative medal established in 1996. He also received international recognition, including the **Peace Prize of Hesse**, a German peace award established in 1993. ## References 1. Virtual International Authority File 2. BnF authorities 3. International Standard Name Identifier 4. CiNii Research 5. SNAC 6. Find a Grave 7. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 8. Munzinger Personen 9. Historical Encyclopedia of Siberia 10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 11. LIBRIS. 2012