Vladimir Kononov

Vladimir Petrovich Kononov (; born October 14, 1974; nom de guerre Tsar) is a former defence minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, serving from August 15, 2014, after the resignation of Igor Girkin (also known as Igor Strelkov) until October 1, 2018. In 2014, he was a lieutenant colonel, and by 2015 was promoted to major general.

Biography Vladimir Petrovich Kononov was born in 1974 in the city of Hirske, Luhansk Oblast (also known as Gorskoye). He graduated from Sloviansk and the Aviation College of civil aviation in 1995, and from the Slavic State Pedagogical Institute in 1999.

He was professionally engaged in sports and pedagogical activities, and worked as a coach in the Judo Federation of Donetsk region. He has 20 years of coaching experience in judo. He also passed special training for senior commanders.

On April 13, 2014, he volunteered in the people's militia of Donbass, and led the checkpoint in Sloviansk. He commanded the unit in confrontation in battles in Sloviansk, Shakhtorsk, Ilovaysk, Mospino and other settlements. His military rank (as of August 2014) was lieutenant colonel. On October 1 2018, the Donetsk People's Republic allegedly abolished the office of defence minister.

He is married and has a child. His younger brother is one of the commanders of the militia of the NDP.

Sanctions He was sanctioned by the UK government in 2014 in relation to the Russo-Ukrainian War.