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Gennady Yanayev

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Politician

The Resume

    (August 26, 1937-September 24, 2010)
    Born in Perevoz, Russian Federation
    Vice-President of the Soviet Union (1990-91)
    Acting President of the Soviet Union (August 19-21, 1991)

Why he might be annoying:

    He was described as a 'quintessential Soviet functionary' and a 'colorless bureaucrat.'
    He was frontman for a coup by Communist hardliners who wanted to undo the reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev.
    The 'State Committee for the State of Emergency' that he headed closed down independent media outlets, banned protests and sent tanks out into the streets.
    He reportedly drank heavily throughout the coup and was found 'in an alcoholic haze' when it collapsed.
    He was so inept at the press conference announcing Gorbachev's removal that Soviet journalists openly mocked him.

Why he might not be annoying:

    The coup collapsed in the face of opposition from the Russian people.
    The failed coup hastened the final collapse of the Soviet Union.
    He claimed that his drinking had no effect on his judgment: 'My body is such that I remain sane even after drinking all my buddies under the table.'
    In a 2008 interview, he expressed regret about his role, saying 'These events weigh on my heart to this day.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 13 Votes: 92.31% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 77.78% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 22 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 383 Votes: 66.06% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 13 Votes: 61.54% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 32 Votes: 81.25% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 56 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 114 Votes: 66.67% Annoying