Victor Chernomyrdin, special Russian presidential representative for
economic cooperation with the CIS, former head of the Russian
government, and former Russian ambassador to Ukraine, died on
Wednesday morning aged 72, RIA Novosti reports.
Victor Chernomyrdin contributed to determining the borders of the
Caspian Sea. It allowed LUKOIL to take part in developing Azerbaijani
oil and gas fields Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli and Shakh-Deniz.
He also played an important role in the Chechen campaigns and the
elimination of the Dudayev regime in Grozny. Chernomyrdin was not
afraid to have direct contact with terrorists in trying to save the
lives of people.
He was a man of both words and actions. His last appointment was the
diplomatic mission to Ukraine where he helped find common grounds with
political rivals.
Chernomyrdin started work in 1957 as a mechanic at the oil refinery of
Orsk. After military service he returned as an operator.
In 1966 he graduated at Kuybyshev Industrial Institute and started his
party activities. From 1967 to 1973 he was working at Orsk city
committee of the Communist Party.
In 1972 he graduated at the All-Union Polytechnical Institute where he
was studying at the economic department specialized as a process
engineer and engineer-economist.
In 1989 he headed that state concern Gazprom, formed basing on the
USSR Ministry of Gas Industry. He was the chair of the concern until
1992.
In 1992-1998 he was heading the Russian government.
In May 2001 Chernomyrdin was appointed the Russian Ambassador to
Ukraine and a special presidential representative for development of
Russian-Ukrainian trade and economic ties. In 2002 he was awarded in
Ukraine with 'Man of the year-2001'.
In June 2009 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev appointed him as his
advisor and special representative for economic cooperation with the
CIS.
Chernomyrdin became famous a number of quotes, the most famous of
which is "We wanted things to be a little better, but they turned out
like always."
The source said that Chernomyrdin was very emotional over the death of
his wife who died in March this year after a long illness. They had
two sons and four grandsons.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed condolence to the
relatives of Victor Chernomyrdin, the Kremlin"s press-service said.
He will be buried at Moscow's Novodevichye cemetery.
