Zhukov, Georgi Konstantinovich

(1896–1974)

   A highly decorated soldier in the tsarist army in World War I, Zhukov joined the Red Army during the Russian Civil War. He was rapidly promoted to general officer and miraculously survived the Yezhovshchina. He did not denounce colleagues and protected several subordinates.

   Zhukov was Communist Party General Secretary Joseph Stalin’s choice to lead the Red Army in the conflict with Japan in 1939. After victory in the Far East, Zhukov directed Soviet forces in battles from the gates of Moscow to Berlin and was made Marshal of the Soviet Union. Stalin was deeply suspicious of Zhukov and allowed Smersh to intimidate and arrest his subordinates. In 1945, Smersh provided Stalin with evidence of Zhukov’s corruption, much of which was trumped up. (The case had the code name Gorodetz, “arrogant man.”) Stalin used the evidence as an excuse to rusticate Zhukov to a provincial post. His wife later told friends that he had expected to be arrested at any moment.

   Before his death, Stalin “forgave” Zhukov and brought him back to Moscow. In July 1953, Zhukov helped Nikita Khrushchev carry out a coup that removed Lavrenty Beria from the leadership. In 1957, Zhukov—now Minister of Defense—helped Khrushchev to survive a putsch by reactionaries in the leadership. Nevertheless, several months later Khrushchev removed Zhukov from his post and sent him into retirement.

   Zhukov spent his last years writing his memoirs, which were heavily censored. Until his death, his apartment was bugged and he was kept under strict surveillance by the KGB—testimony to his popularity with the Russia people.

   See also Antiparty group; August Putsch of 1991; Serov, Ivan.