Sergey Ivanov, a former Russian Defense Minister and close associate of President Vladimir Putin, has died at the age of 73. Ivanov had a career spanning the KGB, the Foreign Intelligence Service, and the FSB, eventually serving as defense minister and later head of the presidential administration. He was once considered a potential successor to Putin but publicly dismissed such ambitions.

• Sergey Ivanov, former Russian Defense Minister and confidant of Vladimir Putin, died at 73.
• Ivanov began his career as a KGB officer in Leningrad and later served in the Foreign Intelligence Service and FSB.
• He served as Defense Minister from 2001 to 2007, overseeing military reforms.
• Ivanov was considered a potential presidential successor in 2008 but backed Dmitry Medvedev.
• He later held positions as deputy prime minister and head of the presidential administration.
• Most recently, he served as Putin’s special representative for environmental protection.
• Ivanov was interested in basketball, ballet, and classic rock music.