Mikhail Komissarov Major General of Artillery Date of Birth: 06.09.1870 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Military Career
2. Secret Service Duty
3. Sекretnaya Kantselyariya
4. Deciphering Diplomatic Correspondence
5. Promotion and Anti-Semitic Activity
6. Appointment as Head of Gendarmerie Departments
7. Protection of Grigori Rasputin
8. Removal and Arrest
9. Post-Revolution

Early Life and Military Career

Dmitry Leonidovich Komissarov was born into a Cossack family. He graduated from the Polotsk Cadet Corps and the Third Alexander Military School, entering military service with the 1st Artillery Mortar Regiment. Rising through the ranks, he attained the rank of lieutenant on August 10, 1894, and staff captain on July 19, 1898.

Secret Service Duty

In 1904, Komissarov joined the Gendarmerie Corps as a captain. After completing training, he was assigned to the St. Petersburg Gendarmerie Administration. In 1904, he was transferred to the Department of Police as a gendarme detective.

Sекretnaya Kantselyariya

Together with I. F. Manasevich-Manuilov, Komissarov headed the newly established Secret Department for Monitoring Foreign Embassies and Military Agents within the Department of Police. His exceptional language skills, organizational abilities, and analytical mind made him an ideal candidate for this sensitive position.

Deciphering Diplomatic Correspondence

Komissarov's unit deciphered diplomatic correspondence from foreign embassies, a highly secretive and challenging task. The information obtained from this operation was relayed to the Tsar daily, providing valuable insights into international affairs.

Promotion and Anti-Semitic Activity

For his work in the Secret Bureau, Komissarov was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Gendarmerie Corps. He participated in the First Congress of Chiefs of District Security Divisions in 1908. While in this role, he oversaw the printing of anti-Semitic proclamations at the Department of Police's secret printing press.

Appointment as Head of Gendarmerie Departments

From 1909 to 1915, Komissarov served as head of the Yenisei, Perm, Saratov, and Vyatka Gendarmerie Administrations. In October 1915, he was appointed head of the Warsaw Gendarmerie Administration, which had by then ceased to exist due to the Russian withdrawal from Warsaw.

Protection of Grigori Rasputin

Upon his return to Petrograd, Komissarov became assistant chief of the St. Petersburg Security Division and was entrusted with the secret assignment of protecting Grigori Rasputin. However, Komissarov's refusal to assassinate Rasputin and the ensuing scandal led to his dismissal in March 1916.

Removal and Arrest

Komissarov was appointed mayor of Rostov-on-Don but was dismissed in August of the same year with the rank of major general in the artillery. After the February Revolution, he was arrested and imprisoned.

Post-Revolution

While in prison, Komissarov befriended Bolsheviks and was released at their request after their release from imprisonment. His later fate remains unknown.