Vladimir Petrovich Kononov (Russian: Влади́мир Петро́вич Ко́нонов; born October 14, 1974; nom de guerre Tsar)[1] is a former defence minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, serving from August 15, 2014, after the resignation of Igor Girkin (also known as Igor Strelkov) until October 1, 2018.

Vladimir Petrovich Kononov was born in 1974 in the city of Hirske, Luhansk Oblast (also known as Gorskoye).

He was professionally engaged in sports and pedagogical activities, and worked as a coach in the Judo Federation of Donetsk region.

[6] After the resignation of Igor Strelkov, he became acting defense minister of the People's Republic of Donetsk.

[7] On October 1 2018, the Donetsk People's Republic allegedly abolished the office of defence minister.