Lukashenka changes 7 KGB heads in 18 years (infographics+info)

The first KGB head in the independent Belarus KGB was Edward Shyrkouski. He worked in the KGB since 1957, graduated from the KGB school № 304. He started his work in the Sverdlovsk region KGB department. In 1968 he was transferred to the central office of the KGB. In 1985 Shyrkouski moved to Belarus. Here he served as chief of the KGB in Vitebsk region (1985 - 1988), the deputy chairman of the Belarusian KGB USSR (1988 - 1990), the Chairman of the KGB of the Byelorussian SSR (16 November 1990 - September 1991), Chairman of the KGB of Belarus (September 1991 - 25 January 1994).

Shyrkouski was replaced at his position by Henadz Lavitski. He was born on August 28, 1942 in the village of Novo-Belitsa, Senno district, Vitsebsk region. Ethnic Belarusian. In 1970 he graduated from the Vitsebsk State Pedagogical Institute (specialized in biology and chemistry), and in 1971 he finished the Higher Courses of the KGB. In 1988-1994 he became the Deputy Chairman of the KGB of the BSSR (since 1991 – Belarus KGB). He worked 4 months as Chairman of the KGB - from February 22 till July 23, 1994. He was appointed as an Ambassador to Israel by one of the first Lukashenka’s decrees.

Uladzimir Yahorau came next. He was born on November 7, 1939 in Cherykau district of Mahileu region. Belarusian. In 1967 he graduated from the Mahileu Pedagogical Institute (specialized in history), in 1979 he finished the Higher School of the KGB. He started working in the KGB in 1977. In 1981 he was sent to work in the Internal Affairs - Head of Internal Affairs of the Brest Regional Executive Committee, First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Byelorussian SSR, the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic, the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. Yahorau was the KGB head since July 1994 till December 1995. After retirement he became a member of the Supreme Council, was the Chairman of the Commission on National Security of the House of Representatives.

The first chief of the Belarusian KGB, who managed to keep his position for a more or less long period of time was Uladzimir Matskevich. Matskevich worked until 2000. He was born on March 1, 1947 in Maryina Horka. Belarusian. In 1970 he graduated from the Belarusian Technological Institute (chemical technology of oil and gas),  in 1978 – the Red Flag Institute of the KGB. Matskevich worked in the state security services since 1976. Since 1985 he was a Deputy Head of Department, Head of the 4th department of the BSSR KGB. He worked as Chairman of the KGB since December 1995 till November 2000. Then he was appointed as Ambassador to Yugoslavia by Lukashenka's decree dated July 13, 2001.

Matskevich was replaced by Leanid Yeryn - the first head of the KGB in independent Belarus, who was an ethnic Russian. He was born on November 17, 1951 in Vorsha. In 1973 he graduated from the Belarusian State University as transport and mechanical engineer,  in 1981 – the Red Flag Institute of the KGB. Doctor of Science in Information Technology.

He started his service as an authorized operations officer, he was the chief authorized operations officer in the KGB BSSR in Vitsebsk region. Yeryn continued his service as chief officer, head of the 4th department of the BSSR KGB. In 1995, he became a deputy and then the first deputy chairman of the Belarusian KGB.

In September 2000, Leanid Yeryn headed Lukashenka’s Security Service. He became  a Chairman of the KGB in November 2000, and worked till the end of 2004, and then was replaced by Stsyapan Sukharenka.

Stsyapan Sukharenka was born on January 27, 1957 in the village of Zdudzichy, Svetlahorsk district. In 1980 he graduated from the Belarusian Institute of Technology, in 1985 he finished the Higher Courses of the KGB.

He worked in the state security service since 1984. In 1993-1994 - Senior Officer of the Chief Inspectorate of the KGB. In 1997-1998 - Deputy Chairman of the KGB. On October 17, 2000 Stsyapan Sukharenka was appointed the first deputy chairman of the KGB. Sukharenka served as a Chairman from 2005 till 2007.

Yury Zhadobin headed the KGB since 2007 till 2008. He was born on November 14, 1954 in the Ukrainian Dnipropetrovsk. He started as a tank platoon commander and made his career way to the commander of the regiment. From 1990 to 1999 he held senior positions in the civil defense system of Belarus and in the Interior Ministry troops. In 1999 Zhadobin was appointed as a Deputy Minister of the Internal Affairs. Since September 2003, he headed Lukashenka’s security service. On July 17, 2007, Major-General Yury Zhadobin became the head of the KGB. After retirement from the KGB he still heads the Ministry of Defense.

Vadzim Zaitsau, who lost his position November 9, 2012, had been appointed on July 15, 2008. He was born in Ukraine. He graduated from the Moscow Higher Border Command School of the KGB (1986), the Academy of the Federal Border Service of Russia (1997), the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (2004). He served as deputy chief, then chief of the frontier. He worked in the administration of the state border defense of the HQ of the State Border Guard Committee Troops of Belarus (1997-1998). In 1998-2002 he served as deputy chief of the detachment - the chief of staff, then the head of the Pinsk border detachment. In 2002-2008 he worked in the State Border Guard Committee Troops of Belarus.


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