Mikhail Malofeyev

Mikhail Yuryevich Malofeyev (Russian: Михаил Юрьевич Малофеев) (25 May 1956 – 18 January 2000) was a Russian major general who served in the Russian Ground Forces from 1977 until his death. Initially serving as a platoon commander under the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany, he served in multiple military districts and theatres including service in the First Chechen War, rising through the ranks before becoming a major general in June 1999 and deputy chief of the Combat Training Directorate of the Leningrad Military District a month later.

He was transferred to the North Caucasus in the leadup to the Second Chechen War between October and November 1999, becoming deputy commander of the northern front during the conflict. During the Battle of Grozny, he went missing in the west of the city on 18 January, 2000. The reporting of his disappearance and ultimate fate was conflicted, including claims of his capture and interrogation by Chechen rebels.

Following several days of fighting to retake the area of his disappearance, his body was located and recovered on 23 January, after which he was transported to Vladikavkaz and then Saint Petersburg, with memorial services taking place at both. He was then buried at Nikolskoe Cemetery with full military honors on 28 January. He was posthumously awarded the title Hero of the Russian Federation on 9 February, which was presented to his wife, Svetlana Malofeyeva, at a ceremony in the Grand Kremlin Palace on 23 February.