20 Facts About Alexander Rutskoy

Alexander Vladimirovich Rutskoy is a Russian politician and former Soviet military officer who served as the only vice president of Russia from 1991 to 1993.

Alexander Rutskoy was proclaimed acting president following Boris Yeltsin's impeachment during the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis, in which he played a key role.

Alexander Rutskoy was imprisoned until early 1994, being released after the State Duma granted him amnesty.

In 1996, Alexander Rutskoy was elected governor of Kursk Oblast, a post he held until 2000.

Alexander Rutskoy was barred from seeking a second term by a regional court over alleged abuse of power.

Alexander Rutskoy was born in Proskuriv, Ukrainian SSR, USSR.

Alexander Rutskoy graduated from High Air Force School in Barnaul and Gagarin Air Force Academy in Moscow.

Alexander Rutskoy had reached the rank of Soviet Air Force colonel when he was sent to Afghanistan.

Alexander Rutskoy ejected safely, but was captured by local people and was briefly held as a POW in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Alexander Rutskoy was chosen by Boris Yeltsin to be his vice-presidential running mate in the 1991 Russian presidential election.

Alexander Rutskoy's candidacy was chosen by Yeltsin on the very last for candidates to submit their applications.

In October 1991 Alexander Rutskoy went to Kyiv in order to negotiate the price of Russian natural gas exports to Ukraine, and through Ukrainian territory to Europe.

Alexander Rutskoy publicly warned Ukraine against conflict with Russia, which both had nuclear weapons and had the ability to claim sovereignty over Crimea.

Alexander Rutskoy claimed that Filatov reduced the number of vice presidential staff in response the day after the incident.

Alexander Rutskoy was accused of corruption by the officials of Yeltsin's government.

Alexander Rutskoy was imprisoned in the Moscow Lefortovo prison until 26 February 1994, when he and other participants of both the August 1991 and October 1993 crises were granted amnesty by the State Duma.

Alexander Rutskoy decided not to run for the presidency in the 1996 election, but did run for the position of the governor of Kursk Oblast in the fall of the same year.

Alexander Rutskoy has apologized for starting the armed rebellion, explaining that he would not have done it if he knew it would lead to several deaths.

In October 2000, Alexander Rutskoy ran for a second term as governor.

In December 2001, Alexander Rutskoy was sued by the Prosecutor's Office of Kursk Oblast, which filed a lawsuit.