Oleg Salyukov | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2015 | |
| Native name | Олег Леонидович Салюков |
| Born | (1955-05-21)May 21, 1955 (age 70) Saratov,Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Allegiance |  Soviet Union (to 1991) Russia |
| Branch | Soviet Army Russian Ground Forces |
| Years of service | 1977–2025 |
| Rank | General of the Army |
| Commands | |
| Battles / wars | Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Alma mater |
|
Oleg Leonidovich Salyukov (Russian:Олег Леонидович Салюков; born 21 May 1955) is a Russiangeneral of the army who has been a deputy secretary of theSecurity Council of Russia since 2025. Before that he was theCommander-in-Chief of theRussian Ground Forces from 2014 to 2025. In addition, he was deputy commander of the joint military operation during theRussian invasion of Ukraine from 2023 to 2025.
Salyukov, born on May 21, 1955, inSaratov, hails from a military background. His father, Leonid Ivanovich Salyukov (1920-2006), served as a tank driver and attained the rank of major general during theGreat Patriotic War. Oleg spent his formative years inPenza, graduating from Secondary School No. 6 in 1972.
In 1977, Salyukov graduated with distinction from theUlyanovsk Guards Higher Tank Command School. He furthered his education at theMalinovsky Military Armored Forces Academy, graduating with honors in 1985. Later, in 1996, he completed his studies at theMilitary Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.
Salyukov's military career spans various roles and regions. He served in different capacities in theKiev Military District from 1977 to 1982 and later held positions such as deputy commander of a training tank regiment and commander of a tank regiment in theMoscow Military District. Notably, he served as commander of the 121st Motorized Rifle Division and the 81st Guards Motorized Rifle Division. His leadership extended to theFar Eastern Military District, where he served as chief of staff and commander of the35th Combined Arms Army.
Salyukov received promotions ahead of schedule, attaining the ranks of major and colonel. On June 12, 2006, he was awarded the military rank of Colonel General, and commanded theFar Eastern Military District from 2008 to 2010.
Subsequently, on December 10, 2010, he was appointed Deputy Chief of theGeneral Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. He served in this capacity until 2014.
Salyukov assumed the role of Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces of the Russian Federation on May 2, 2014, following a decree by PresidentVladimir Putin. Salukov has also overseen military parades onRed Square in Moscow on Victory Day from 2014 to 2024. Salyukov was honored with the military rank of Army General on February 22, 2019, becoming the 65th military leader in modern Russia to receive this distinction.
On 1 October 2014, he announced that Ground Forces Day, commemorating the founding of the Russian army byIvan IV in 1550, would be celebrated from then with a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial ofGeorgy Zhukov and a meeting of veterans, including the previous commanders-in-chief.[1]
He was sanctioned by theUK government in 2022 in relation to theRusso-Ukrainian War.[2] In February 2022 Salyukov was added to the European Unionsanctions list for being "responsible for actively supporting and implementing actions and policies that undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine as well as the stability or security in Ukraine".[3]
In January 2023 Salyukov was designated one of the three deputy commanders of the joint military operation in theRussian invasion of Ukraine, along withAlexei Kim andSergey Surovikin. The Chief of the General Staff,Valery Gerasimov, was made the commander.[4]
On May 15, 2025, Vladimir Putin dismissed Salyukov as Commander-in-Chief of the Land Forces,[5] and announcedAndrey Mordvichev as his successor.[6] This took place several days before Salyukov's 70th birthday, at which point he is required by law to retire from active service. Salyukov was then appointed as Deputy Secretary of theRussian Security Council.[7] The Council has several deputy secretaries.[8][9]
| Position Held | Period |
|---|---|
| Platoon Officer Company Officer Chief of the staff –Battalion Commander in theKiev Military District | 1977–1982 |
| Deputy Commander of a Training Tank Regiment Commander of a Training Tank Regiment Deputy Commander of a Guards tank division in theMoscow Military District | 1985–1994 |
| Commander,81st Guards Motor Rifle Division Chief of the Staff and Army Commander (35th Army) DeputyCommander-in-Chief of theFar East Military District | 1994–1997 |
| Chief of the Staff-First Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Far-East Military District | 2005–2008 |
| Commander-in-Chief of the Far-East Military District | 2008–2010 |
| Deputy Chief of theGeneral Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation | 2010–2014 |
| Commander-in-Chief of theRussian Ground Forces | 2014–2025 |
| Deputy Commander of the Joint Group of Forces in Ukraine | 2023–2025 |
| Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council | 2025–present |
He is married and has a son.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Commander of the35th Army 2002–2003 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chief of Staff and First Deputy Commander of theFar Eastern Military District 2005–2008 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Commander of theFar Eastern Military District 2008–2010 | District abolished |
| Preceded by | Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces 2014–2025 | Succeeded by |
Leadership of theRussian Ground Forces | ||
|---|---|---|
| Commander-in-Chief Chief of the Main Directorate(1998–2001) |  | |
| Chief of the Main Staff and First Deputy Commander-in-Chief Deputy Chief of the Main Directorate(1998–2001) | ||
| Deputy Commander-in-Chief | ||
