Dimitri Ustinov

Dimitri Ustinov (October 17,1908-December 20,1984) was Defense Minister of the Soviet Union from 1976 until his death.He had previously been head of the defense industry since Stalin appointed him People's Commissar of Armaments in 1941.He also became deputy premier in 1957.

A candidate member of the Politburo since 1965,he did not become a full member until he was Defense Minister,at which time,though always a civilian before,he was also made a Marshal of the Soviet Union.

On his death the city of Izhevsk was briefly renamed for him,but under Mikhail Gorbachev cities that had been renamed for recent Soviet leaders reverted to their former names.