Organizational genius: Boris Pastukhov would have turned 90 on October 10

“A man with a clear head and conscience”

Today, one of the legendary personalities of our time, Boris Nikolaevich Pastukhov, would have turned 90 years old. Former first secretary of the Komsomol Central Committee, ex-deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and the State Duma of the Russian Federation, diplomat, writer Boris Nikolaevich Pastukhov was a long-time friend of MK. Today our fondest memories are of the wonderful hero of the day.

Boris Pastukhov found himself in Komsomol work almost immediately after graduating from Moscow Higher Technical School. Bauman. Although in his memories Boris Nikolaevich saw himself in a completely different form in his youth.

“I really didn’t want to go to this job (to the Baumansky district Komsomol committee, where Boris Pastukhov’s Komsomol career began. – Ed.). I then dreamed of being a design engineer. …There were more than enough ideas. I always loved Komsomol work, but considered it a side hustle. Interesting, of course, and useful, but not the main thing. But who in youth knows what is important and what is secondary?”

Yes, the creation of the latest instruments and machines did not happen. But something no less important happened, which determined his entire amazing fate and rapid career – after all, Boris, already in his youth, was often called nothing less than an “organizational genius,” he could ensure the success of any start or project. Having proven himself well during his institute years, the energetic Komsomol leader was first sent to leadership positions in the Bauman district committee of the Komsomol. A few years later, he was transferred to the city committee of the Komsomol, becoming first secretary in 1962. And three years later, he was elected secretary of the Komsomol Central Committee, which he eventually headed.

At the end of his Komsomol epic in 1982, Boris Nikolaevich held responsible government and diplomatic posts in the Soviet Union. He was Chairman of the USSR State Committee for Publishing, Printing and Book Trade. The same amazing fate determined him to be ambassador, first to Denmark, and then to Afghanistan. And after the turning point for the country in 1991 – in sovereign Russia, he first held the positions of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, then – at the very end of the 90s – Minister of CIS Affairs.

But here’s what the famous director and actor Oleg Tabakov said about him: “Boris Pastukhov is a man with a clear head and conscience.” The fact is that Boris Nikolaevich at one time helped the brilliant artist and director a lot in the implementation of a new theater project. Such words were said for a reason. Everyone who knew Boris Nikolayevich noted his temperament, energy, and also sensitivity and attentiveness, which is not so common among high-ranking officials, and a truly unique quality – despite all the possible negative consequences for him personally, to achieve what he considered right.

“I can express nothing but admiration when I see his work. He constantly goes to places where they shoot, where blood is shed…” – this is how his first boss at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assessed his deputy

Until his last days – unfortunately, Boris Nikolaevich passed away in 2021 – his connection with the veteran Komsomol movement was not interrupted. And, of course, with MK, in which he shared vivid memories with readers in articles and interviews. In his book “The Beautiful Features of My Friends,” Boris Pastukhov very informally, in personalities and numerous historical details, very lively, sometimes with great humor, spoke about the unique experience of the youth movement, which played a huge role in his fate and the history of the country.