**Longtime Putin Confidant Sergey Ivanov Dies at 73**
Sergey Ivanov, a prominent figure in Russian politics and a longtime confidant of President Vladimir Putin, has passed away at the age of 73. The announcement of his death was made by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday.
Ivanov's career began in the late 1970s when he joined the KGB, the Soviet Union's main security agency, as an officer in Leningrad, now known as St. Petersburg. It was during this time that he first met Putin, and the two shared an office while working in the Soviet security service. Their long-standing relationship would shape much of Ivanov's career in subsequent years.
Fluent in English, Ivanov spent a significant portion of his early career in the KGB’s foreign intelligence branch, where he undertook assignments in various countries, including the United Kingdom, Finland, and Kenya. He later revealed that he had also learned Swedish during his time as an operative. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ivanov transitioned to the newly established Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) before moving to the Federal Security Service (FSB), where he eventually became deputy director under Putin, who was leading the agency at the time.
During Ivanov's tenure at the FSB, Russia faced a series of terrorist attacks attributed to Chechen Islamist militants, which contributed to the onset of the Second Chechen War. In response to the escalating security crisis, Ivanov was appointed as secretary of Russia’s Security Council, a role that placed him at the forefront of national security issues.
From 2001 to 2007, Ivanov served as the Russian Minister of Defense. His leadership during this period was marked by significant military reforms aimed at professionalizing the armed forces, which included increasing contract service and decreasing reliance on conscription. His tenure was characterized by efforts to modernize the military in response to both internal and external challenges.
As Russia approached its 2008 presidential election, Ivanov was considered a leading candidate to succeed Putin, alongside Dmitry Medvedev. However, he consistently downplayed any ambitions for the presidency. Following Putin's endorsement of Medvedev's candidacy, Ivanov publicly supported the nomination. After Medvedev's election, Putin transitioned to the role of prime minister, with Ivanov serving as deputy prime minister.
When Putin returned to the presidency in 2012, Ivanov was appointed as the head of the presidential administration, a role he maintained until 2016. In the years following his departure from this position, Ivanov was appointed as Putin’s special representative for environmental protection and ecology, a role he held until stepping down in February of this year.
Beyond his political career, Ivanov was known for his interests outside of politics. He was an enthusiastic basketball fan and had a passion for ballet and classic rock music, particularly bands like The Beatles and Pink Floyd, which he discussed in various interviews.
As of now, details regarding Ivanov's funeral have not been made public. However, Russian media has speculated that he may be laid to rest in his hometown of St. Petersburg, where he spent much of his early life.
Ivanov's passing marks the end of a significant chapter in Russian political history, reflecting the intertwining of his life with the trajectory of modern Russia under Putin's leadership. His contributions to national security and military reform will be remembered as part of his legacy in the country's governance.