Zhukov, Georgi Konstantinovich

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Zhukov, Georgi Konstantinovich (1896–1974) Soviet military commander and politician. Zhukov fought in the Russian Revolution (1917), and in the ensuing civil war (1918–20). During World War 2, he led the defence of Moscow (1941), and defeated the German siege of Stalingrad and Leningrad (1943). In 1945, Zhukov led the final assault on Berlin. After Stalin's death, he became defence minister (1955). Although supportive of Nikita Khrushchev's reforms, he was removed from office in 1957. He was rehabilitated in the 1960s, receiving the Order of Lenin in 1966.

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