Sergei Ivanov, former Russian defense minister and presidential chief of staff once seen as Putin's possible successor, dies at 73
Sergei Ivanov, a former Russian defense minister and head of the presidential administration who was once considered a potential successor to Vladimir Putin, has died at the age of 73.
Sergei Ivanov, the former Russian defense minister and presidential administration chief, has died at the age of 73, according to the VTB United League, where he served as honorary president.
Ivanov was one of the most influential Russian officials in recent decades. He held positions including deputy prime minister, first deputy prime minister, defense minister, secretary of the Russian Security Council, and head of the presidential administration.
Since 2016, Ivanov served as the president's special representative for environmental affairs, ecology, and transport. He also remained a member of the Russian Security Council.
In 2007, Ivanov was considered a leading candidate to succeed Vladimir Putin, but he lost the internal power struggle to Dmitry Medvedev.
