Mikhail Meltiukhov
Encyclopedia
Mikhail Ivanovich Meltyukhov (: Михаил Иванович Мельтюхов, mɪxʌˈil ɪˈvʌnəvitɕ mɪlʲˈtʲuxəf), born 14 March 1966), is a Russia
n military historian. Currently he is working at the Russian Institute of Documents and Historical Records Research.
.
In 1995, he defended the dissertation “Contemporary Historiography on Pre-history of the German-Soviet War” on historiography
concerning the beginning of World War II
. Since then, he has published several studies, many of which are notable for the critical review of the official Soviet
conceptions of World War II. Some important works in this direction are On the Verge of the Great Patriotic War: the Debate Goes on and Stalin's Missed Chance
and "Soviet-Polish Wars: Military and Political Standoff in 1918-1939".
Meltyukhov also contributed to a recently published collection of articles on Viktor Suvorov
's ideas. Meltyukhov supported some ideas of Suvorov in general but criticized him for inaccuracies. In his latest work, Stalin's Liberation Campaign, he deals with Joseph Stalin
's attempts to re-gain 'lost territories' of the Russian empire, for example, Bessarabia
. He presents a hypothesis that precisely at the time of Soviet occupation of Bessarabia did Adolf Hitler
make the decision to invade the Soviet Union, because he realized that Red Army can quickly cut Germany off its oil reserves in Romania by a strike from Bessarabia. This thesis
was put forward earlier by Viktor Suvorov who described Soviet preparations for the strike.
An English version of some of his work has been published as "Disputes over 1941" by M I Mel'tiukhov in the series Russian studies in history.
who works as a lecturer at Moscow State University
and historian Andrzej Nowak
of Jagiellonian University
and Institute of History, Polish Academy of Sciences
. According to Nowak, Mikhail Meltyukhov interprets Polish-Soviet conflicts as “fragments of eternal Western aggression against Russia.” Russia's (or resp. Soviet Union's) aggressions “are presented as purely defensive postures”, thus presenting Soviet crimes in occupied Poland “as a ‘peacekeeping mission’” In his 2004 book Nowak lists in detail biases and inaccuracies concerning Polish-Russian relations in Meltyukhov's book, primarily pointing out that Poland is always portrayed as an aggressor and many instances of Russian aggression toward Poland are ignored.
has also been valued positively for covering Soviet military plans before the outbreak of German-Soviet war in 1941, relying on documents that were previously inaccessible. While the theory that the Soviet leadership was indeed planning to strike Germany in 1941 remains disputed
, Meltyukhov's data has been used by authors who do not support the Soviet assault plans thesis mentioned above. However, some reviewers who agree that the USSR intended to attack Germany, have also criticised Meltyukhov for including pro-Soviet views (justifying aggressions on the basis of Soviet 'national interests' etc).
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n military historian. Currently he is working at the Russian Institute of Documents and Historical Records Research.
Works
Meltyukhov was born in MoscowMoscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
.
In 1995, he defended the dissertation “Contemporary Historiography on Pre-history of the German-Soviet War” on historiography
Historiography
Historiography refers either to the study of the history and methodology of history as a discipline, or to a body of historical work on a specialized topic...
concerning the beginning of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Since then, he has published several studies, many of which are notable for the critical review of the official Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
conceptions of World War II. Some important works in this direction are On the Verge of the Great Patriotic War: the Debate Goes on and Stalin's Missed Chance
Stalin's Missed Chance
Stalin's Missed Chance is a study by Russian military historian Mikhail Ivanovich Meltyukhov, author of several books and articles on Soviet military history....
and "Soviet-Polish Wars: Military and Political Standoff in 1918-1939".
Meltyukhov also contributed to a recently published collection of articles on Viktor Suvorov
Viktor Suvorov
Viktor Suvorov is the pen name for Vladimir Bogdanovich Rezun , a former Soviet and now British writer of Russian and Ukrainian descent who writes primarily in Russian, as well as a former Soviet military intelligence spy who defected to the UK...
's ideas. Meltyukhov supported some ideas of Suvorov in general but criticized him for inaccuracies. In his latest work, Stalin's Liberation Campaign, he deals with Joseph Stalin
Joseph Stalin
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 to 5 March 1953. He was among the Bolshevik revolutionaries who brought about the October Revolution and had held the position of first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee...
's attempts to re-gain 'lost territories' of the Russian empire, for example, Bessarabia
Bessarabia
Bessarabia is a historical term for the geographic region in Eastern Europe bounded by the Dniester River on the east and the Prut River on the west....
. He presents a hypothesis that precisely at the time of Soviet occupation of Bessarabia did Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
make the decision to invade the Soviet Union, because he realized that Red Army can quickly cut Germany off its oil reserves in Romania by a strike from Bessarabia. This thesis
Soviet offensive plans controversy
The Soviet offensive plans controversy refers to the debate among historians on the question of whether Joseph Stalin was planning to invade Germany prior to Operation Barbarossa.-Background:...
was put forward earlier by Viktor Suvorov who described Soviet preparations for the strike.
An English version of some of his work has been published as "Disputes over 1941" by M I Mel'tiukhov in the series Russian studies in history.
Criticism
Meltyukhov's Soviet-Polish Wars: Military and Political Confrontation in 1918-1939 was strongly criticized for bias and inaccuracies by journalist Peter CheremushkinPeter Cheremushkin
Peter Cheremushkin is a Russian Interfax correspondent in Washington D.C. Cheremushkin is a graduate of Moscow State University. He also received a certificate from the Danish School of Journalism in Aarhus, Denmark.-Works:...
who works as a lecturer at Moscow State University
Moscow State University
Lomonosov Moscow State University , previously known as Lomonosov University or MSU , is the largest university in Russia. Founded in 1755, it also claims to be one of the oldest university in Russia and to have the tallest educational building in the world. Its current rector is Viktor Sadovnichiy...
and historian Andrzej Nowak
Andrzej Nowak (historian)
Andrzej Nowak is a Polish historian and publicist. Professor of Jagiellonian University and Business College - National Louis University in Nowy Sącz, former visiting professor of East-Central European history at Rice University. Member of Polish Academy of Sciences, where he is the director of...
of Jagiellonian University
Jagiellonian University
The Jagiellonian University was established in 1364 by Casimir III the Great in Kazimierz . It is the oldest university in Poland, the second oldest university in Central Europe and one of the oldest universities in the world....
and Institute of History, Polish Academy of Sciences
Polish Academy of Sciences
The Polish Academy of Sciences, headquartered in Warsaw, is one of two Polish institutions having the nature of an academy of sciences.-History:...
. According to Nowak, Mikhail Meltyukhov interprets Polish-Soviet conflicts as “fragments of eternal Western aggression against Russia.” Russia's (or resp. Soviet Union's) aggressions “are presented as purely defensive postures”, thus presenting Soviet crimes in occupied Poland “as a ‘peacekeeping mission’” In his 2004 book Nowak lists in detail biases and inaccuracies concerning Polish-Russian relations in Meltyukhov's book, primarily pointing out that Poland is always portrayed as an aggressor and many instances of Russian aggression toward Poland are ignored.
Support
Meltyukhov's study Stalin's Missed ChanceStalin's Missed Chance
Stalin's Missed Chance is a study by Russian military historian Mikhail Ivanovich Meltyukhov, author of several books and articles on Soviet military history....
has also been valued positively for covering Soviet military plans before the outbreak of German-Soviet war in 1941, relying on documents that were previously inaccessible. While the theory that the Soviet leadership was indeed planning to strike Germany in 1941 remains disputed
Soviet offensive plans controversy
The Soviet offensive plans controversy refers to the debate among historians on the question of whether Joseph Stalin was planning to invade Germany prior to Operation Barbarossa.-Background:...
, Meltyukhov's data has been used by authors who do not support the Soviet assault plans thesis mentioned above. However, some reviewers who agree that the USSR intended to attack Germany, have also criticised Meltyukhov for including pro-Soviet views (justifying aggressions on the basis of Soviet 'national interests' etc).
External links
- Electronic version of “Stalin's Missed Chance” (in Russian) (in Russian).
- A list of publications by Meltyukhov, at ozon.ruOzon.ruOzon is one of the first online shops in Russia, established in 1998 by the Russian software house Reksoft. Its main goods are books, electronics, music, and movies. As of 2005, it is the largest online retailer in Russia...
Interview with Mikhail Meltyukhov and Viktor Suvorov, Radio Free EuropeRadio Free EuropeRadio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a broadcaster funded by the U.S. Congress that provides news, information, and analysis to countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East "where the free flow of information is either banned by government authorities or not fully developed"...
December 3, 2002 Criticism of Meltyukhov's work