“Who was Lev Rokhlin?” I ask my audience. We stand before his grave a simple stone in Moscow’s Troekurovskoye Cemetery. This unassuming marker belies the extraordinary life and controversial death of Lev Yakovlevich Rokhlin.
Lev Rokhlin was a prominent figure in Russia. He was a lieutenant general and politician. He played a significant role in the First Chechen War. He rose rapidly through the ranks of the Soviet military. He even served in Afghanistan. His career spanned from 1970 to 1995. He was a commander of Russian forces during the First Chechen War.
Rokhlin’s story is one of contrasts. He was a highly decorated officer. He received the Order of the Red Banner. Yet he was also a vocal critic of corruption. He openly challenged the established order. He witnessed firsthand the widespread corruption within the military. He described seeing officers enriching themselves through illicit activities such as stealing scrap metal. He even witnessed the theft of millions of dollars. This angered him deeply. He actively fought against these practices.
His military successes were remarkable. He was instrumental in the capture of Grozny. He refused the highest state medal for this achievement. He felt it was immoral to seek glory in a civil war. He was deeply troubled by the bloodshed. He left the army in 1995 disillusioned.
He then entered politics. He became a member of the State Duma. He chaired the Duma’s Defense Committee. His outspoken nature continued. He openly criticized President Yeltsin. He blamed him for the war in Chechnya and low military morale. Rokhlin formed the Movement in Support of the Army. He tried to rally servicemen into a political force to remove Yeltsin. His efforts however proved unsuccessful.
Lev Rokhlin’s life was abruptly cut short. On July 3 1998 he was murdered. He was shot in his bed. His death remains shrouded in mystery. His wife Tamara was initially implicated. She was later convicted of his murder. Yet she maintains his death was the result of a conspiracy. Three burned bodies were found nearby. Some believe these were the actual assassins. They speculate these were eliminated by the Kremlin. The circumstances surrounding his death continue to fuel speculation. Alexander Litvinenko a former KGB and FSB officer claimed that Anatoly Trofimov another former general confirmed a Russian secret services plot.
Lev Rokhlin’s grave is a sobering reminder. It is a reminder of a complex man. He was a brilliant military leader and an outspoken politician. His legacy remains a subject of debate. His story however is a crucial piece of recent Russian history. It is a story that should never be forgotten. We remember Lev Rokhlin today. We remember his courage his integrity and his ultimate sacrifice.