Vitaly Fedorchuk
Vitaly Fedorchuk Виталий Федорчук | |
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Minister of Interior Affairs of the Soviet Union | |
In office 17 December 1982 – 25 January 1986 | |
Preceded by | Nikolai Shchelokov |
Succeeded by | Alexander Vlasov |
5th Chairman of the Committee for State Security | |
In office 26 May 1982 – 17 December 1982 | |
Premier | Nikolai Tikhonov |
Preceded by | Yuri Andropov |
Succeeded by | Viktor Chebrikov |
Personal details | |
Born | Vitaly Vasilyevich Fedorchuk 27 December 1918 Ogievka, Zhitomir Oblast, Russian Empire |
Died | 29 February 2008 Moscow, Russian Federation | (aged 89)
Resting place | Troyekurovskoye cemetery, Moscow |
Nationality | Ukrainian |
Political party | Communist Party of the Soviet Union |
Other political affiliations | Communist Party (Bolsheviks) of Ukraine |
Vitaly Vasilyevich Fedorchuk (Russian: Виталий Васильевич Федорчук; 27 December 1918 – 29 February 2008) was a Ukrainian Soviet statesman and politician.
Early life and education
Fedorchuk was born in the Zhitomir region of Ukraine to a peasant family in 1918.[1] He was called up for military service in 1936 and then attended the Military Communications School in Kiev.[1]
Career
Fedorchuk started his career as a local journalist.[2] He joined the Soviet secret police in 1939[3] and served in the SMERSH from 1943 to 1947.[2] Then he worked in East Germany and in the Soviet Embassy in Vienna as an intelligence officer from 1949 to 1967.[1] In 1967, he was appointed head of the third directorate or military counterintelligence unit of the KGB where he served until 1970.[1] He became the chief of the Ukrainian KGB in July 1970.[4] He held the post until he was appointed chairman of the KGB on 26 May 1982, replacing Yuri Andropov and served for seven months until 17 December 1982.[5]
He then became the Soviet interior minister in 1982, replacing Nikolai Shchelokov.[3][6] His term ended in January 1986 and he was succeeded by Alexander V. Vlasov.[4] After leaving office, Fedorchuk became an inspector at the ministry of defense[7] and then, he retired.[2]
Death and burial
Fedorchuk died in Moscow on 29 February 2008 at the age of 89.[3][8] His body was buried at Moscow's Troyekurovskoye cemetery.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d "Vitaly Fedorchuk: Short-lived head of the KGB". The Independent. 18 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ a b c Martin, Douglas (9 March 2008). "Vitaly Fedorchuk, 89, of K.G.B. Dies". The New York Times. p. 30.
- ^ a b c "Former KGB chief dies at 89". USA Today. Moscow. AP. 3 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ a b Eaton, William J. (26 January 1986). "Soviet Interior Minister Shifted to Other Duties". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
- ^ a b "Ex-KGB head Vitaly Fedorchuk dead at 89". UPI. 3 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ Starov, Vadim. "MDV. The Ministry of Internal Affairs". Systema Spetnaz. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ "Vitaly Fedorchuk: 89". The Globe and Mail. 5 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ "Obituaries in the News". The Washington Post. Moscow. AP. 3 March 2008. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
- Use dmy dates from April 2013
- 1918 births
- 2008 deaths
- People from Ruzhyn Raion
- Soviet politicians
- People's Commissars and Ministers of the Soviet Union
- Recipients of the Order of Polonia Restituta (1944–89)
- KGB chairmen
- Burials in Troyekurovskoye Cemetery
- Russian people of Ukrainian descent
- Republican KGB chairmen (Ukraine)