Grigory Semyonov

Ataman Semenov.

Grigory Mikhailovich Semenov () (September 13(25), 1890 – August 30, 1946), leader of the counterrevolution in the Baikal region and beyond in 1917-1920, Lieutenant General (1919).

Semenov graduated from Orenburg Military School in 1911. He took part in the World War I and became an yesaul. In July of 1917, Semenov was appointed Commissar of the Provisional Government in the Baikal region, responsible for recruiting counterrevolutionary volunteer military units. After the October Revolution, Semenov stirred up an anti-Soviet rebellion (see Semenov Rebellion), but sustained a defeat and fled to Manchuria. In August of 1918, he managed to consolidate his positions in the Baikal region with the help of the Czech Legion, and imposed his ruthless regime (see Semenovschina). The so-called Siberian Provisional Government appointed Semenov commander of a detached unit with the headquarters in Chita. Initially, Admiral Kolchak refused to recognize Semenov's authority, but later he would have to accept this fact at the insistence of the interventionists and appoint Semenov Commander-in-Chief of the Chita military district. In the early 1919, Semenov declared himself Ataman of the Transbaikal Cossack Host with the support from the Japanese.

Due to the defeat of the White movement, Admiral Kolchak transferred his power to Semenov in the Far East. In November of 1920, the units of the Red Army and guerrillas ousted Semenov's army from the Baikal region and beyond. After having retreated to Primorye, Semenov tried to continue fighting the Soviets, but was finally forced to emigrate in September of 1921.

Semenov lived in Korea, Japan and Northern China. He had ties with the Japanese intelligence and, being a leader of the White emigrants of the Far East, was in charge of their anti-Soviet activities. In September of 1945, Semenov was captured by the Soviet Army in Manchuria and sentenced to death by hanging by the Military Board of the Supreme Court of the USSR.