Zlaten Danielov Velikov
Zlaten Danielov Velikov | |
|---|---|
 Kukolja in 2007 | |
| Born | 21 May 1958 Luntemir, Galania |
| Allegiance |  Syara |
| Service/ | Syaran National Army |
| Years of service | 1988 - 2012 |
| Rank | Colonel General |
| Unit | 6th Army |
| Battles/wars | Refusal War Zemplen War |
| Awards | see below |
Zlaten Danielov Velikov is a Syaran former General best known for commanding 6th Army during the Zemplen War.
An ethnic Galanian, Velikov served with the Royalists during the Refusal War, but was later commissioned into the Syaran National Army in 1988 as a Major. He was promoted to Lt. Colonel in 1993, and later to Colonel in 2000. He made Brigadier General just two years later and was promoted to Major General in 2005 after the Imerti Conflict, though he wasn't personally involved in the conflict. Following the outbreak of the Zemplen War Velikov was promoted to Lt. General during the August Offensive, then to Colonel General for Operation Aspis, where he commanded the 6th Army as part of Army Group Beta. Velikov was the driving force behind expelling Ruvelkan forces from Zemplen and the subsequent drive into the Sagerejo District. 6th Army proved to be a major target during the Ruvelkan Winter Counter-Offensive, but Velikov managed to prevent a major breakthrough and eventually repelled the Ruvelkans. In the spring 6th Army was the major driving force on Sagejero during the Battle of Sagerejo. Unwilling to engage in brutal urban combat, Velikov made extensive use of Syaran artillery to flatten entire city blocks, eventually leveling nearly 70% of the city. Constant probing of Ruvelkan defenses south of the city eventually led to a breakthrough by XI Corps under Lt. General Yorgos Gorceski, which led to the eventual capture of Sagerejo. Despite the success, the heavy casualties suffered by the Syarans led 6th Army to halt major offensive operations. After two unsuccessful drives towards Polgardi in Fall of 2009 and Spring of 2010 6th Army came under heavy attack during Operation Homefront. Velikov's orders to retreat forced 6th Army to abandon much of its heavy equipment, and was unable to prevent the loss of Zemplen to the Ruvelkans. He retired not long after the war in 2012.
Velikov's reputation among analysts has been mixed since the end of the war. While some observers considered him an able commander faced with perennially tough challenges, other have indicated his leadership was lackluster and he simply had the good fortune of possessing quality corps commanders. He had a strained relationship with Army Group Beta's commander Arisdages Koundakjian, who demurred Velikov's lack of aggression and initiative.