Colonel General Alexander Zelin Air Force, Commander-in-Chief since 9 May 2007.

Alexander Zelin was born on 6 May 1953 in Perevalsk, Voroshilovgrad region. Graduated from Kharkov Higher Aviation School of Pilots (1976), Gagarin Air Force Academy (1988), General Staff Academy (1997).

Throughout his Air Force career he served at numerous position including pilot, air flight commander, air squadron deputy commander, air squadron commander, air regiment deputy commander, air group commander, air force base commander, fighter regiment commander, fighter division commander,  air army first deputy commander, lone air force and air defence corps commander, chief of staff – first deputy commander of air force and air defence army, air force and air defence army commander.

From August 2002 to May 2007 he served as Chief of aviation – Air Force Deputy Commander-in-Chief for aviation.

On May 5, 2007, the President's Decree confirmed him as Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force.