# Dmitry Yazov

> Soviet minister of defence (1924-2020)

**Wikidata**: [Q48041](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q48041)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dmitry_Yazov)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dmitry-yazov

## Summary
Dmitry Timofeyevich Yazov was a Soviet military commander and politician who served as the Soviet Union's Minister of Defence from 1987 to 1991. A veteran of World War II and the Soviet-Afghan War, Yazov played a pivotal role in late Cold War military affairs and was involved in the failed 1991 coup attempt against Mikhail Gorbachev. He held numerous military honors and remained a significant figure in Soviet and Russian military history until his death in 2020.

## Biography
- **Born:** November 8, 1924
- **Nationality:** Soviet Union, later Russian Federation
- **Education:** 
  - Moscow Higher Military Command School
  - M.V. Frunze Military Academy
  - Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia
- **Known for:** Serving as Soviet Defence Minister during the Cold War's final years and involvement in the 1991 coup attempt
- **Employer(s):** Soviet Armed Forces, Government of the Soviet Union
- **Field(s):** Military leadership, politics

## Contributions
Dmitry Yazov led the Soviet Armed Forces during critical late Cold War events, including the withdrawal from Afghanistan and reforms under Gorbachev. As Defence Minister, he oversaw military strategy and operations from 1987 to 1991. Yazov participated in the State Committee on the State of Emergency (GKChP), which attempted to overthrow Gorbachev in August 1991, contributing to the Soviet Union's dissolution. His military career spanned World War II, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Soviet-Afghan War, earning him numerous awards for combat and service.

## FAQs
**What was Dmitry Yazov's role in the Soviet government?**  
Yazov served as the Soviet Union's Minister of Defence from 1987 to 1991, overseeing military operations during a period of significant geopolitical change.

**What notable military conflicts was Yazov involved in?**  
He participated in World War II, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Soviet-Afghan War, rising through the ranks to become a key military leader.

**What was Yazov's involvement in the 1991 coup attempt?**  
Yazov was a member of the State Committee on the State of Emergency (GKChP), which sought to overthrow Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev in August 1991, accelerating the USSR's collapse.

**What awards did Yazov receive?**  
He was awarded the Order of Lenin, Order of the Red Banner, and numerous other Soviet and Russian honors for his military service and leadership.

## Why They Matter
Dmitry Yazov's leadership during the late Cold War shaped Soviet military strategy and influenced the USSR's withdrawal from Afghanistan. His involvement in the 1991 coup attempt marked a critical juncture in Soviet history, contributing to the union's dissolution and the rise of the Russian Federation. As a long-serving military commander, Yazov embodied the transition from Soviet to post-Soviet military structures, leaving a legacy in both eras.

## Notable For
- Serving as the last Soviet Defence Minister before the USSR's dissolution
- Participation in the failed 1991 coup against Gorbachev
- Recipient of the Order of Lenin and other high military honors
- Veteran of World War II, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Soviet-Afghan War
- Holding key roles in Soviet military academies and strategic planning

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Dmitry Yazov was born on November 8, 1924. He graduated from the Moscow Higher Military Command School, later attending the M.V. Frunze Military Academy and the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, which prepared him for high-ranking military positions.

### Military Career
Yazov's military service began in 1941 during World War II, where he fought in the Eastern Front. He later held commands during the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) and the Soviet-Afghan War (1979–1989). His leadership roles included positions in the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, reflecting his integration into both military and political structures.

### Tenure as Defence Minister
As Minister of Defence from 1987 to 1991, Yazov managed the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan and navigated military reforms under Gorbachev's *perestroika*. His tenure coincided with heightened Cold War tensions and the eventual collapse of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe.

### 1991 Coup Attempt
In August 1991, Yazov joined the GKChP, a hardline faction attempting to overthrow Gorbachev and reverse liberal reforms. The coup's failure led to Yazov's arrest and trial, though he was later pardoned. This event catalyzed the Soviet Union's dissolution in December 1991.

### Awards and Legacy
Yazov received numerous awards, including the Order of Lenin, Order of the Red Banner, and medals commemorating World War II victories. His legacy is marked by his dual role as a Soviet military leader and a figure in the USSR's demise, influencing both Cold War dynamics and post-Soviet military development.

### Post-Soviet Life
After the Soviet collapse, Yazov lived in Russia until his death on February 25, 2020. His life spanned pivotal 20th-century conflicts and political transformations, cementing his place in military and political history.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. CiNii Research
4. [Source](https://dbpedia.org/page/Dmitry_Yazov)
5. [Last marshal of Soviet Union Dmitry Yazov passes away](https://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Last-marshal-of-Soviet-Union-Dmitry-Yazov-passes-away.html)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Library of Congress Control Number