MOSCOW, October 18 (AVN) - Colonel-General Mikhail Pankov, new Interior Ministry troops chief-of-staff, has taken the office, a source in the troops command told the Military News Agency.
Pankov was appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin October 12 this year. Colonel-General Boris Maksyn, former chief-of-staff, retired.
Pankov was born in 1946 in Buryartia, South-eastern Siberia. Graduated from the Saratov Interior Ministry College, the Frunze Military Academy. Took all the chain positions starting from a platoon leader up to division commander. Served in the administration of the Interior Ministry troops commander. Since March 1998 - deputy Interior Ministry troops commander for emergencies, since May 1999 - first deputy commander. Pankov headed the Interior Ministry troops group during the counter-guerrilla operation in Dagestan and first stage of operation in Chechnya including the assault of Grozny. He was conferred the Hero of Russia title.