Viktor Zubkov

Viktor Alekseyevich Zubkov
Born	(1941-09-15) September 15, 1941 Sverdlovsk Oblast, Soviet Union
Occupation(s)	Statesman, entrepreneur
Years active	1967–present
Known for	36th Prime Minister of Russia (2007–2008), First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Chairman of Gazprom board of directors

Viktor Alekseyevich Zubkov (; born 15 September 1941) is a prominent Russian statesman and entrepreneur who held the position of the 36th Prime Minister of Russia from September 2007 until May 2008. During Dmitry Medvedev's presidency, he served as Vladimir Putin's First Deputy Prime Minister.

Zubkov's professional journey began in the Soviet era as a civil servant within the Leningrad Oblast. Subsequently, he advised various Cabinet Ministers and specialized as an investigator in financial crimes. On 12 September 2007, President Putin nominated him to succeed Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, with the State Duma confirming his appointment two days later. Following Putin’s inauguration as president in May 2008, Zubkov’s government was constitutionally dismissed, after which he was appointed First Deputy Prime Minister under Putin.

He holds the distinguished federal state civilian service rank of 1st class Active State Councillor of the Russian Federation.

Now in his eighties, Zubkov chairs the board of directors at Gazprom, Russia’s largest enterprise and a leading global producer in the oil and natural gas sectors.

Life and career

Originating from Sverdlovsk Oblast, Zubkov completed his studies at the Economic Department of the Leningrad Agriculture Institute in 1972.

After serving an eighteen-month term in the Soviet Army starting in 1966, he took on managerial responsibilities within various kolkhozes throughout the Leningrad Oblast between 1967 and 1985. From 1985 to 1991, he occupied significant roles within the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in Leningrad Oblast, including Chairman of the Priozersk City Executive Committee, First Secretary of its City Committee, and leader of agricultural departments. Between 1989 and 1991, he was First Deputy Chairman of the Leningrad Oblast Executive Committee.

Between January 1992 and November 1993, Zubkov acted as deputy Chairman of the External Relations Committee at the Saint Petersburg City Administration under then-mayor Vladimir Putin. He then headed the Saint Petersburg Department of the State Tax Inspection from November 1993 until November 1998 and simultaneously served as Deputy Chairman for Saint Petersburg.

Following the restructuring into Russia's Tax Ministry in December 1998, Zubkov assumed leadership as Chief of its Saint Petersburg Directorate. On 23 July 1999, he was promoted to Deputy Tax Minister for the Northwestern region while continuing to direct the Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast Directorate.

In August 1999, Zubkov campaigned for governor of Leningrad Oblast with backing from Boris Gryzlov, ultimately finishing fourth with 8.64% of the vote.

On 5 November 2001, he advanced to First Deputy Finance Minister and took charge of the Financial Monitoring Committee tasked with combating money laundering. When this body was renamed as the Federal Financial Monitoring Service in March 2004, he retained his leadership role through both terms of Mikhail Fradkov's First Cabinet and Second Cabinet.

In a political ranking conducted in 2006, Zubkov was identified as Russia's 84th most influential political figure.

His daughter is married to former Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov.

Prime Minister

On 12 September 2007, President Vladimir Putin nominated Viktor Zubkov for the position of prime minister, and two days later, on 14 September, the State Duma confirmed his appointment with 381 votes in favor. Zubkov stepped down from this role on 8 May 2008 following the inauguration of Dmitry Medvedev as president.

Certain Kremlin observers regarded Zubkov as a provisional prime minister, strategically placed amid succession considerations. Others perceived him as a dependable ally aiding Putin in balancing various Kremlin factions. His expertise in tackling financial crime during Putin’s administration contributed to his tactical importance. Among five potential presidential contenders identified by Putin, Zubkov was included. On 13 September, Zubkov indicated he might pursue the presidency in 2008. Nonetheless, in December 2007, Putin publicly supported Dmitry Medvedev for the presidential race, effectively ending Zubkov’s candidacy ambitions. Following Medvedev’s assumption of office, Zubkov was appointed Chairman of Gazprom.

Sanctions

On 24 February 2023, the UK government imposed sanctions on Zubkov in connection with the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.

Honours and awards

• Order "For Merit to the Fatherland"
  • 1st class
  • 2nd class (19 September 2008) – awarded for notable contributions to economic policy and extended service
  • 3rd class (9 May 2006) – recognizing efforts to safeguard Russia’s economic interests and dedicated work
  • 4th class (11 April 2000) – for contributions to state economic reforms
• Ceremonial dagger
• Order of the Red Banner of Labour (1981)
• Order of the Badge of Honour (1975)
• Medal "Veteran of Labour" (1986)
• Honored Economist of the Russian Federation (16 September 2001) – acknowledging accomplishments in economics and finance
• Diploma from the Government of the Russian Federation (1998)
• Honorary Citizen of the Leningrad Region (2009)
• Order of Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow, 1st class (Russian Orthodox Church, 2011)

External links

• Biography by Vladimir Pribylovsky
• Profile at Gazprom
• Profile: Viktor Zubkow at BBC News, 12 September 2007

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