He has gray hair on his temples, is tall and majestic, and wears a pair of glasses, giving people a gentle and capable appearance. He often appears in the Russian Defense Command Center to inform the outside world of the latest developments of the Russian army.
He is the spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Defense - Igor Konashenkov.
As the external spokesperson of Russia’s million-strong armed forces, although Konashenkov does not need to kill enemies on the frontline battlefield and does the safest job, he is a good hand on the battlefield of public opinion. His agility thinking and flexible adaptability, and strive to minimize the impact of Western public opinion attacks on the Russian military.
Even when needed, Konashenkov took the initiative and acted harshly, demonstrating the Russian military's global authority.
For example, once when the United States was still thinking about how to dispatch US military fighter planes to attack Syrian air bases, Konashenkov immediately warned the United States to "think twice before leaping" after learning about the report: Our missiles are not long-sighted; Konashenkov then listed the S-300 and S-400 air defense missile systems deployed in Syria.
Obviously, Konashenkov’s meaning is very clear: as long as the United States dares to launch air strikes on Syria, Russian missiles will not be spared.
From this aspect, we can see that Konashenkov, who works as a civilian, is actually a ruthless man wearing glasses. This character may have a lot to do with his military service resume and war experience.
Konashenkov was born on May 15, 1966 in Chisinau, the capital of the Soviet Union's Moldavian Soviet (now the Republic of Moldova). He was a top student in the military academy.
Since he graduated from high school and was admitted to the military academy, he has furthered his studies in three military academies, including Ukraine Zhitomyr Air Defense Radio Electronics Higher Military School, Zhukov Air Defense Military Command Academy , and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Ministry of Military Academy, which also laid the foundation for Konashenkov's future promotion to high positions.
In the early days of entering the Soviet military camp, Konashenkov briefly served in the Soviet Strategic Rocket Force. It was not until the end of the 20th century that he engaged in news information work for the Russian army, which continues to this day.
During his tenure, Konashenkov served as the director of the Press Service of the North Caucasus Military District of the Russian Army, the Director of the Press Service of the Russian Army and Assistant to the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, and the Deputy Director of the Press Service and Information Department of the Ministry of Defense. , Director, and Director of the Information and Mass Media Department of the Ministry of National Defense.
On the surface, Konashenkov is a civilian cadre of the Russian army, but as everyone knows, he also played a huge role during the war.
During the Second Chechen War, Konashenkov commanded the North Caucasus Information Support Force to effectively cooperate with the Russian army's actions to eliminate the rebels; also during the Russo-Georgian War, Syrian War, and the Russo-Ukrainian War, Konashenkov adhered to the public opinion position, took the initiative to seize the right to speak in public opinion, and was responsible for the release of war results, military trends, and future trends throughout the process.
When faced with reporters, Konashenkov was no slouch and did not avoid any questions within the scope of principles. He could often use humorous words to respond to sharp questions from Western reporters. This confident attitude has won praises at home and abroad.
To a certain extent, the microphone and water cup are Kanashenkov's weapons, which effectively safeguard Russia's national defense interests and Russia's national dignity.
It is against this background that Konashenkov has the opportunity to set two major military records in the world:
First: the longest-serving spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense in the world. As early as August 30, 2011, Putin issued a presidential decree appointing Konashenkov as the director of the Press Service and Information Department of the Russian Ministry of Defense. This began his 11-year career in publishing news about the Russian military. road.
During these 11 years, Konashenkov not only assisted the two defense ministers Serdyukov and Shoigu, but also became the longest-serving spokesman for the Ministry of Defense in the world; looking at the defense departments of various countries around the world, Russia is the only country whose spokesperson can serve for more than ten years. Even Russian Defense Minister General Shoigu has been in office for 10 years. Konashenkov has become a strong man under Shoigu. , deeply trusted.
Second: The highest-ranking spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense in the world. Konashenkov was awarded the rank of major general in 2013, his second year leading the Russian military’s news affairs, and became one of the few general spokespersons in the world. This starting point is indeed very high; moreover, with the special military operations After the unfolding, Konashenkov announced the entire battle situation, summarizing the losses of the Russian and Ukrainian armies in detail, providing decision-makers with a wealth of information reference, and allowing the Supreme Commander of the Russian Army, President Putin, and the number one figure in the Russian Army to introduce the situation. Defense Minister Igu saw Konashenkov's outstanding abilities more clearly.
Lieutenant General Konashenkov
Therefore, 9 years after Konashenkov was promoted to the rank of major general, he was specially promoted to the rank of lieutenant general of the Russian army on June 7, 2022; so far, he is the first in the history of the Russian Ministry of Defense This is the first time a lieutenant general-level spokesperson has appeared, which is unprecedented in the world.
You must know that Minister Alexander Kulenkov, the head of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, which is at the same level as the Russian Ministry of Defense, has just been promoted to the rank of lieutenant general. As a spokesman for the defense department, Konashenkov is not yet a department. It is rare that the main leader of the Ministry of Finance has the same military rank as the head of the ministerial cabinet department.
At the age of 56, Konashenkov will definitely have a bright future in his military career.
