Gryzlov, Boris Vyacheslavovich

(1950– )

   Politician. Born in Vladivostok and raised in Vladimir Putin’s hometown of St. Petersburg, Boris Gryzlov entered public life in 1998 after a career in radio communications. He allied himself with Viktor Zubkov and joined the pro-Kremlin Unity party; he was subsequently elected to the State Duma. Two years later, he was appointed minister of the interior and tasked with the fight against corruption and terrorism. He particularly targeted those he deemed “werewolves in epaulets,” that is, corrupt police officials affiliated with the country’s mafia. After 2003, he returned to the legislature, assuming leadership of United Russia, and became chairman of the State Duma. He steadfastly supported Putin’s initiatives as president, and as prime minister of the Russian Federation.

   See also Politics.