# Andrey Vlasov

> Russian lieutenant general (1901–1946)

**Wikidata**: [Q157615](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q157615)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrey_Vlasov)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/andrey-vlasov

## Summary
Andrey Andreyevich Vlasov was a Russian lieutenant general who lived from 1901 to 1946. He is primarily known for his service as a Soviet military officer during World War II and his subsequent leadership of the Russian Liberation Army, a military unit composed of Soviet defectors under Nazi German command.

## Biography
- **Born:** September 1, 1901 (Gregorian calendar) or August 19, 1901 (Julian calendar)
- **Died:** August 1, 1946
- **Nationality:** Russian Empire; Soviet Union
- **Education:** M.V. Frunze Military Academy
- **Occupation:** Military Officer
- **Military Rank:** Lieutenant General
- **Known for:** Defecting to Nazi Germany and leading the Russian Liberation Army
- **Work Period:** 1919 – 1945

## Contributions
Andrey Vlasov's career was defined by his military service on the Eastern Front during World War II and his eventual defection.
*   **Military Leadership:** He participated in major battles including the Battle of Brody (June 1941), the Battle of Kiev (1941), the Battle of Moscow (1941), and the Battle of Lyuban (1942).
*   **Russian Liberation Army:** In 1944, Vlasov became the leader of the Russian Liberation Army (ROA), a unit established by Nazi Germany primarily composed of Soviet defectors.
*   **Awards:** During his service, he received the Order of the Red Banner.

## FAQs
**What conflicts was Andrey Vlasov involved in?**
Vlasov participated in the Russian Civil War, the Eastern Front of World War II, and the Second Sino-Japanese War. His specific engagements included the Battle of Brody, Battle of Kiev, Battle of Moscow, and Battle of Lyuban.

**What was the Russian Liberation Army?**
The Russian Liberation Army was a military unit founded in 1944, largely composed of Soviet defectors, that fought under Nazi German command during World War II. Andrey Vlasov was its primary leader.

**Where was Andrey Vlasov educated?**
He received his military education at the M.V. Frunze Military Academy, a prominent institution for the Russian Armed Forces and the Soviet Union.

## Why They Matter
Andrey Vlasov represents a significant and controversial chapter in World War II history, specifically regarding the Eastern Front. His transition from a decorated Soviet lieutenant general to the leader of a collaborationist force highlights the complex internal dynamics and dissent within the Soviet Union during the war. His leadership of the Russian Liberation Army serves as a primary historical example of Soviet citizens taking up arms against the Stalinist regime under the auspices of an opposing power.

## Notable For
- Holding the rank of Lieutenant General in the Soviet Army.
- Receiving the Order of the Red Banner for heroism or long service.
- Commanding the Russian Liberation Army starting in 1944.
- Participating in critical WWII battles including Moscow and Kiev.
- Being a graduate of the M.V. Frunze Military Academy.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Andrey Andreyevich Vlasov was born on either August 19 or September 1, 1901. His early life occurred during the era of the Russian Empire, which dissolved in 1917. He pursued a career in the military, attending the M.V. Frunze Military Academy.

### Military Career in the Soviet Union
Vlasov's active service began around 1919 during the Russian Civil War, a multi-sided conflict that followed the dissolution of the Russian Empire. He served as a military officer for the Soviet Union. His career spanned several decades and conflicts, including the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945).

During World War II, Vlasov served on the Eastern Front (1941–1945). He held a position of authority as a Lieutenant General and participated in significant early-war operations:
*   **Battle of Brody (June 23–30, 1941):** A tank battle early in the invasion of the Soviet Union.
*   **Battle of Kiev (1941):** A major battle resulting in a large encirclement of Soviet troops.
*   **Battle of Moscow (1941):** A critical defensive campaign for the Soviet capital.
*   **Battle of Lyuban (1942):** A military operation where Soviet forces attempted to break the blockade of Leningrad.

For his service, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner, a Soviet award for heroism in combat or long service.

### Defection and the Russian Liberation Army
Vlasov's career took a definitive turn in 1944 when he became affiliated with the Russian Liberation Army. This unit, inception dated to 1944, was a Nazi German military force composed mostly of Soviet defectors. Vlasov is identified as a key figure or leader associated with this unit. His work period ended in 1945 following the conclusion of the war in Europe.

### Death and Legacy
Andrey Vlasov died on August 1, 1946. His life spanned the final years of the Russian Empire, the entirety of the Soviet Union's formation and major conflicts, and concluded in the immediate post-war period. He is widely documented across numerous historical encyclopedias and databases, including the Great Russian Encyclopedia, Encyclopaedia Britannica, and various national libraries.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. TracesOfWar
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. CiNii Research
7. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
8. Munzinger Personen
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. [Source](http://purl.org/pressemappe20/beaconlist/pe)
11. LIBRIS. 2013
12. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
13. Catalogo of the National Library of India