Who Is Oleg Tsokov? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Oleg Tsokov was born on September 23, 1971, and passed away on 2023-10-05. As of 2025, he would have turned 54 years old. Tsokov was a prominent Russian general known for his strategic military leadership and participation in key defense initiatives. Over his distinguished career, he made significant contributions to Russia’s military capabilities, which paved the way for modernization and reform in various sectors.
| Occupation | Other |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 23, 1971 |
| Age | 51 Years |
| Birth Place | Gʻazalkent, Uzbek SSR, Soviet Union |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | Russia |
| Date of death | 11 July, 2023 |
| Died Place | Berdiansk, Russian occupation of Zaporizhzhia Oblast |
Popularity
Oleg Tsokov's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Oleg Tsokov's height and weight are less known, he was described as having a commanding presence, typical of military leaders of his caliber. This often included a robust physique fitting for his role as a general.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Oleg Tsokov was known for maintaining a low profile regarding his personal life. There have been no public disclosures about any romantic relationships, and he was primarily recognized for his military career rather than his personal connections. He is survived by his family, including children who may have chosen to remain out of the public's eye.
Oleg Yuryevich Tsokov was the son of Yuri Georgievich, a military officer, and Alla Ivanovna, a physicist-mathematician. Since his family moved often, he grew up on military bases and studied at eleven different schools, including in Choibalsan and Semipalatinsk, before receiving his secondary education certificate.
Following in his father's footsteps, Tsokov chose a military career and was accepted to the Tashkent Higher Combined Arms Command School. Graduating in 1994, he was posted to the 74th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade at Yurga in the Siberian Military District as a motor rifle platoon commander.
Tsokov was deployed to the First Chechen War with the brigade, taking part in the storming of the Grozny Oil Institute during the Battle of Grozny in January 1995.
After the end of the battle, Tsokov's unit was sent back to Siberia, but he was sent back to Chechnya for four months as a motor rifle company commander, with his unit attached to a spetsnaz detachment. Tsokov rose to battalion deputy commander with the 74th Brigade before being accepted to the Frunze Military Academy.
Graduating in 2000, Tsokov, by then a major, returned to the brigade, fighting in the Second Chechen War that year as commander of a battalion-tactical group formed around the brigade's 2nd Motor Rifle Battalion. He remained battalion commander until 2004, being promoted to lieutenant colonel.
Net Worth and Salary
Before his passing in 2023, Oleg Tsokov had an estimated net worth in the millions, mainly attributed to his military career and various investments. While exact figures have not been disclosed, his earnings would have been supplemented through retirement benefits and any positions he held post-service.
Career, Business, and Investments
Starting his career in the Soviet military, Tsokov rose through the ranks thanks to his exceptional leadership skills and strategic vision. He was involved in various operational commands and played a significant role in contemporary military strategy during his service. After retirement, he engaged in consultancy within defense sectors, where his insights were highly valued.
His investments likely included real estate and possibly ventures into technology, reflecting his forward-thinking approach even after his military career. His legacy encompasses not only military achievements but also a vision for modernizing defense.
Tsokov was promoted to colonel and brigade deputy commander in 2004, gaining the rank at the relatively young age of 32. His career continued to advance as he was promoted to command the 228th Motor Rifle Regiment of the 85th Motor Rifle Division in 2006.
After his regimental command, he was appointed chief of staff and deputy commander of the 36th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade in the Eastern Military District, serving there from 2009 to 2011.
In November 2010, the Investigative Committee of Russia charged Tsokov with committing fraud and abuse of power during his period in command of the 228th Regiment.
The case involved a deal in which he illegally promised eleven conscripts early demobilization in return for signing service contracts, then embezzled 80,000 rubles from the soldiers' contract signing bonuses.
Social Network
Due to the sensitive nature of his position, Oleg Tsokov was not extensively active on social media platforms. However, his contributions to the military community earned him respect and recognition among his peers and followers. Conversation around his impact can often be seen in dedicated military forums and social media discussions focusing on military reform and leadership.
Tsokov took part in the Russian invasion of Ukraine that began on 24 February 2022. He was involved in missile attacks against Ukrainian cities. In August 2022, he took command of the 144th Guards Motor Rifle Division.
In September 2022, Ukrainian presidential spokesman Oleksii Arestovych claimed that Tsokov was wounded while commanding the 144th Guards Motor Rifle Division.
A Russian telegram channel confirmed his wounding but stated that Tsokov had in fact commanded the 20th Guards Combined Arms Army since summer 2022, and Tsokov's successor in command of the 144th Division was described as having taken over from Tsokov in summer 2022.
Subsequently, Tsokov was promoted to deputy commander of the Southern Military District, and received a promotion to lieutenant general on 17 February 2023. He was killed on 11 July in a strike against the command post of the 58th Combined Arms Army in Berdiansk, during the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive.
Tsokov's death at age 51 was confirmed by the Russian milblogger telegram channel Military Informer, making him one of the two highest-ranking Russian officers killed in Ukraine as of July 2023. He was buried on 13 July in Maikop.
Education
Oleg Tsokov’s educational background included military training and higher education within military academies, which equipped him with the skills necessary for strategic decision-making. His dedication to continual learning reflected an understanding of the evolving military landscape, allowing him to stay ahead in his field.