Viktor Kulikov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Viktor Kulikov
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| Birth name | Виктор Георгиевич Куликов Viktor Georgiyevich Kulikov |
| Born | 5 July 1921 Verkhnyaya Lyubovsha village, Oryol Oblast, Russian SFSR |
| Died | 28 May 2013 (aged 91) Moscow, Russia |
| Allegiance |  Soviet Union |
| Years of service | 1940–1989 |
| Rank |  Marshal of the Soviet Union (1977–1989) |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Hero of the Soviet Union |
Viktor Georgiyevich Kulikov (Russian: Виктор Георгиевич Куликов; 5 July 1921 – 28 May 2013) was an important military leader in the Soviet Union. He became the Commander-in-Chief of the Warsaw Pact from 1977 to 1989. The Warsaw Pact was a military alliance of communist countries in Eastern Europe. In 1977, he earned the high rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union.
Viktor Kulikov was born into a farming family. He joined the Red Army in 1940, just before World War II began. He fought bravely in the war and was later honored as a Hero of the Soviet Union.
After the war, Kulikov continued his military career. He led the Kyiv Military District from 1967 to 1969. Then, he commanded the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany from 1969 to 1971. From 1971 to 1977, he was the Chief of General Staff for the Soviet Armed Forces. This was a very important job, overseeing all military operations.
In 1983, he received the Lenin Prize for his work. After his military service, Kulikov was a member of the Russian parliament from 1989 to 2003. He also received the highest award from Cuba, the Order of Playa Girón, in 2006. Viktor Kulikov passed away in 2013 after a long illness.
Contents
Awards and Recognition
Viktor Kulikov received many awards for his long service. These honors came from the Soviet Union, Russia, and other countries. They showed how much his military and public work was valued.
Awards from the USSR and Russia
- Hero of the Soviet Union (1981) - This is one of the highest honors for bravery.
- Order of Merit for the Fatherland - He received this award multiple times:
- 2nd class (2001) - For his great work in making the country's defense stronger.
- 3rd class (1996) - For his service to the country and helping to improve the military.
- 4th class (2011) - For his efforts in national defense and public activities.
- Order of Military Merit
- Order of Honour (2006) - For strengthening national defense and teaching young people about patriotism.
- Four Orders of Lenin (1971, 1978, 1981, 1988) - A very high civilian and military award.
- Three Orders of the Red Banner (1943, 1944, 1968) - For military bravery.
- Three Orders of the Patriotic War, 1st class (1943, 1945, 1985) - For service during wartime.
- Order of the Red Star (1955) - Another military award.
- Order for Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR, 3rd class (1975).
- Medal For Courage.
- Medal for Combat Service.
- Lenin Prize (1983) - A top award for achievements in science, technology, literature, and arts.
- An individual weapon (a gun) was given to him when he retired in 1992.
Awards from Other Countries
- Order of Sukhbaatar (Mongolia, 1981).
- Patriotic Order of Merit, 1st class (East Germany, 1981).
- Star of People's Friendship, 1st class (East Germany, 1985).
- Three Scharnhorst Orders (East Germany, 1972, 1986, 1987).
- Order "For Service to the Motherland and the people", 1st class (East Germany, 1970).
- Order of Georgi Dimitrov (Bulgaria, 1984).
- Order "The People's Republic of Bulgaria", 1st class (1974).
- Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta (Poland, 1973).
- Order Banner IRR with diamonds (Hungary, 1975).
- Order of the Red Star (Hungary, 1985).
- Order "For Military Valour", 1st class (North Korea, 1983).
- Order of the Victorious February (Czechoslovakia, 1985).
- Order "For Military Merit", 1st class (Peru, 1972).
- Order "On 23 August", 1st class (Romania, 1974).
Images for kids
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Viktor Kulikov in uniform.
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The rank insignia of a Marshal of the Soviet Union.
See also
In Spanish: Víktor Kulikov para niños
