Konstantin Zhostov
Konstantin Andonov Zhostov (30 September 1867 – 30 August 1916) was a Bulgarian general who served as Chief of the Bulgarian Army Staff. He was born in Gaytaninovo, then part of the Ottoman Empire. His father Andon Zhostov was a teacher who later became a priest; Konstantin had two brothers. After the Russo-Turkish War, his family moved to Sofia.
As a young man, Zhostov fought in the Serbo-Bulgarian War as a volunteer in the Student's Legion and took part in the Battle of Pirot in November 1885. He studied at the Military School in Sofia, became a lieutenant in 1887 and a captain in 1894. He trained in Vienna and earned a reputation as a capable artillery officer and staff officer.
His career included many important posts: commander of an artillery battery, head of fortress artillery, and various staff roles. He served as military attaché in Vienna in 1905 and later in Saint Petersburg and Paris in 1906–07. In 1910 he commanded the 3rd Artillery Regiment and in 1912 headed the Reserve Officer School.
During the First Balkan War (1912–1913) he was Chief of Staff of the 3rd Army and helped lead Bulgarian victories at Lozengrad and Lüleburgaz. He later served as Chief of Staff of the united Bulgarian 1st and 3rd Armies and took part in peace talks in London. After the war, he commanded the 1st Brigade of the 7th Infantry Division in the Second Balkan War.
In 1915 he was promoted to major general and became Chief of the General Staff of the Bulgarian Army. He played a key role in the Serbian Campaign and the Macedonian front in World War I, but he did not fully support the Central Powers and even suggested Bulgaria switch to the Entente.
Zhostov died on 30 August 1916 from complications after appendicitis.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 02:44 (CET).