Prince Vasily Mikhailovich Dolgorukov-Krymsky (Russian: Василий Михайлович Долгоруков-Крымский; 12 July [O.S. 1 July] 1722 – 10 February [O.S. 30 January] 1782) was a Russian statesman, general, and the commander-in-chief of Moscow from 1780 to 1782. Already a seasoned veteran of several wars, he was a senior military commander of the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774, where his forces occupied the Crimean Khanate, from which he derived his honorary title of "Krymsky" (actually means "of Crimea").
He was the original builder and owner of the House of the Unions and numerous other historic mansions that dot the city of Moscow.
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Biography
Vasily Mikhailovich was the son of senator and governor of Prince Mikhail Vladimirovich Dolgorukov from his marriage to Princess Yevdokiya Yurievna Odoyevskaya. His childhood was marked by the disgrace and imprisonment of his uncle Vasily Vladimirovich Dolgorukov under the reign of Empress Anna Ioannovna, which affected the entire family. Vasily Mikhailovich was inducted into the military as a private in 1735 at the age of 13, where he gained his first combat experience fighting under Field Marshal Burkhard Christoph von Münnich in the Crimea. He would distinguish himself at the Siege of Perekop. Before the storming of the fortress, Münnich promised that the first soldier to ascend the fortifications alive would be promoted to officer. Young Dolgorukov would prove to be that soldier, and was given the rank of poruchik.