Former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov Dies at 73

Sergei Ivanov, a former KGB officer and one of Vladimir Putin’s closest inner-circle allies who served as Russia’s defense minister and chief of staff, has died at the age of 73.

Circumstances of Death

The death of the former defense minister was reported by Reuters, citing Russian state media, and confirmed by the VTB United League, where Ivanov served as honorary president. The official cause of his death has not yet been disclosed.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, quoted by Interfax, stated that President Vladimir Putin has sent a telegram offering his deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sergei Borisovich Ivanov.

Political Career and Influence

Ivanov began his career as an officer in the KGB during the Soviet era before moving to the Federal Security Service. In 2001, Vladimir Putin appointed him as Russia’s minister of defense, a position he held until 2007.

Between 2011 and 2016, Ivanov served as the chief of staff for the Presidential Executive Office. He was widely regarded as a leader of the “siloviki,” a powerful faction within the central government composed of individuals with backgrounds in the military and security services. In recent years, his public roles were focused on environmental and sports-related affairs.