Sergei Ivanov, a former Russian defense minister once viewed as a possible successor to President Vladimir Putin, has died at the age of 73. The Kremlin announced his death on Friday, but did not disclose the cause or provide further details. President Putin conveyed his condolences to Ivanov's family.
Ivanov, a fellow KGB veteran, was appointed by Putin as defense minister in 2001, a position he held until 2007. During his tenure, he oversaw the second Chechen war, which resulted in the suppression of the region's separatist movement.
In 2008, when Putin was required to step down due to term limits and took the role of prime minister, Ivanov was widely considered the most likely candidate to succeed him as president. However, Putin ultimately selected Dmitry Medvedev, another long-time associate, for the interim presidency before reclaiming the presidency himself in 2012. Some analysts suggested that Putin bypassed Ivanov due to concerns about his ambition and the potential for him to consolidate power.
Ivanov continued to hold significant positions within Putin's administration, serving as deputy prime minister from 2007 to 2011, and subsequently as the Kremlin chief of staff from 2011 to 2016.
In 2016, Ivanov was appointed as a presidential envoy for environmental protection and transport. This role was largely seen as an honorary position with limited political influence, and he retired from it earlier this year.
Along with other high-ranking Russian officials, Ivanov had been subjected to sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union in response to Russia's military actions in Ukraine.