Alexander Nikolayevich Zelin (Russian: Александр Николаевич Зелин; born 6 May 1953) served as Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force^[1] from 9 May 2007 until 27 April 2012. Zelin holds the Air Force rank of colonel-general. Since May 2012 Zelin has been an adviser to the Russian Defence Minister.^{[citation needed]}

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Quick Facts Native name, Born ...

Alexander Nikolayevich Zelin
Native name	Александр Николаевич Зелин
Born	(1953-05-06) 6 May 1953 (age 70) Perevalsk, Ukrainian SSR, USSR
Allegiance	Soviet Union  Russia
Years of service	1976–2012
Rank	Colonel General
Commands held	Russian Air Force
Awards	Order of St. George , Order of Merit

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Alexander Zelin was born on 6 May 1953, in Perevalsk, Voroshilovgrad region (now Luhansk Oblast in eastern Ukraine). He graduated from Kharkov Higher Aviation School of Pilots in 1976, Gagarin Air Force Academy in 1988, and General Staff Academy in 1997.

From August 2002 to May 2007 he served as Chief of aviation – Air Force Deputy Commander-in-Chief for aviation.

On May 9, 2007, he became the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, replacing Army General Vladimir Mikhaylov.

On April 27, 2012, he was dismissed from his post and military service. No reason was given.^[2] He was succeeded by Viktor Bondarev.