12 Sep 2012 13:52

Ex-Defense Minister Grachev taken to cardiac intensive care unit - hospital

MOSCOW. Sept 12 (Interfax-AVN) - Former Russian Defense Minister Gen. Pavel Grachev has been taken to the cardiac intensive care unit of the Vishnevsky Hospital.

"Grachev is in ward 50 of the hospital," it said.

Details about the ex-minister's health status have yet to be clarified.

Grachev started his military service in the Soviet Airborne Forces and carried out several missions in Afghanistan. He was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union title for performing combat tasks "with minimum losses." He later served as the defense minister of Russia from May 18, 1992 to June 17, 1996.

Grachev led a group of advisors to the general director of the Omsk-based Popov Radio Plant until lately.