Key Persons

Anatoly Utkin

Former Head of the Border Division of the Federal Security Service of Russian Federation in Tskhinvali Region

From March 2017, the Head of the Border Division of the Federal Security Service of Russian Federation in Tskhinvali Region, General-Major Anatoly Utkin was in charge of “defending” the occupation line in Tskhinvali Region. In 2014, Utkin served as the Deputy Head of Border Division in Krasnodar Krai and the Head of Sochi Border Service. In 2016, he served in the Border Division of the Amur District of Russian Federation. 

In 2019 Utkin was replaced by Vladimir Schemelinin. 

Relations with the Tskhinvali Region

  • On March 27, 2017, Utkin met with the de facto President of Tskhinvali Region, Leonid Tibilov for the first time. The meeting was also attended by the Cadre Department of the Border Division of the Federal Security Service of Russian Federation, General-Major Sergey Strelnikov, who presented Utkin to Tibilov.
  • On April 28, 2017, Russian border guards placed in Tskhinvali Region celebrated eight years since the establishment of the Division. Utkin also participated in festivities.
  • On 29 May, 2017, Utkin participated in the event dedicated to the 99th anniversary of Russian Border Service. The de facto President of Tskhinvali Region, Anatoly Bibilov, also attended the festivities. Bibilov awarded various “state” awards of Tskhinvali Region to several employees of the Division. Utkin also delivered a congratulatory speech, summarizing the Division’s work in Tskhinvali Region.
  • On June 30, 2017, the de facto President of Tskhinvali Region, Anatoly Bibilov, met Utkin. During the meeting Bibilov demanded from Utkin to improve border security with Georgia. Namely, according to Bibilov “the violation of the border by Georgians must be fully eradicated”.
  • On May 28, 2018, Utkin was personally involved in the festivities held in Tskhinvali in honor of 100 years of Russian Border Service. De facto President of Tskhinvali Region, Anatoly Bibilov also participated in the events. A celebratory concert was held in the state cinema and concert hall Cherman. At the end of the concert Utkin awarded memorabilia to the artistic collective and addressed the audience. In his speech Utkin also summarized the work of the Border Division, which, according to his estimates, was the most challenging in 2009.
  • On April 30, 2019, the 10th anniversary of the foundation of Border Division of Security Federal Service, Russian Federation, was celebrated in Tskhinvali Region. The celebrating event was held in Tskhinvali at Cinema and Concert Hall "Chermen". Utkin welcomed border guards in Tskhinvali. According to Utkin, “within 10 years State Border has met modern standards – all necessary conditions have been created to ensure high professional level while performing the task. More than 4000 persons were detained for trespassing the border, more than 200 secret storages of weapons and ammunitions have been revealed.“