Valery Kokov


Valery Mukhamedovich Kokov was a Russian politician of Kabardian ethnicity.

Early life and political career

Kokov was born in Tyrnyauz, Kabardino-Balkaria. He was the leader of Kabardino-Balkaria from 1990 to 2005. He was chairman of the republic's supreme Soviet from 1990 to 1991 and was elected President for the first time in 1992.
He effectively neutralized opposition and was re-elected twice in landslide victories; in 1997 with 98% of the vote and in 2002 with 87% of the vote. He successfully maintained stability in the republic though it is close to the war-torn republic of Chechnya. Kokov suffered from cancer for several years before his death. On Feberary 23, 2005, he announced his resignation.

Resignation and Death

He did not give any reason for his departure, which came nearly a year and a half before the end of his term. He stayed in office until his successor, Arsen Kanokov was chosen two weeks later. During October 2005 his health rapidly declined and he died in the central clinical hospital in Moscow of cancer, a month after leaving office. He is survived by his daughter, son and his wife.

Personal life

Kokov was married to Violetta Taubievna Kokova, and they had one daughter and one son, Kazbek Kokov, who became head of KBR in 2018.

Honours and awards

Kokov's name has been used: