Knyaz Ivan Mikhailovich Obolensky, or Prince John Obolenski (1853 – 28 February 1910), was an Imperial Russian Lieutenant-General.

Early life and ancestry

He was a member of a Rurikid princely Obolensky family, whose ancestors once ruled one of the Upper Principalities. His mother was the Romanian aristocrat Olga Sturdza (1830-1895), daughter of Alexandru Sturdza (from a non-princely branch, 3rd cousin once removed of the Russian statesman Alexandru Sturdza), grand-treasurer of the Principality of Moldova, by Princess Elena Ghika (1812-1881). His father was Prince Mikhail Aleksandrovich Obolensky (1821–1886).

Career

He served as the Governor-General of Finland from 18 August 1904 to 18 November 1905. His predecessor General Nikolai Ivanovich Bobrikov was assassinated in June 1904. He received a telegram from an unknown sender, saying: "We are expecting you in the near future -stop- The weather here is +200°C -stop- Bobrikov". His term of office saw revolutionary turmoil in both Russia and the Grand Duchy of Finland. The Russian Revolution of 1905 resulted in a general strike in Finland and the replacement of the feudal Diet of Finland with the modern Parliament of Finland. Knyaz Obolensky was murdered by revolutionaries in St. Petersburg on 28 February 1910.