The Russian statesman Sergei Ivanov. Biography

Sergei Ivanov, a Russian statesman and politician, has died at the age of 73. He served as the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on environmental protection, Ecology and transport. Previously, he headed the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the Presidential Administration of Russia. About the life and career of a politician — in the material of Izvestia.

Childhood and education

Sergey Ivanov was born on January 31, 1953 in Leningrad. After graduating from high school, he entered the Leningrad State University (LSU) named after A. A. Zhdanov. In 1975, he completed his studies at the Translation department of the Faculty of Philology, having received a degree in translation from English and Swedish.

Later, he continued his education in the state security structures. In 1976, Ivanov graduated from the higher courses of the KGB of the USSR in Minsk, and in 1981 — the Red Banner Institute of the KGB of the USSR.

Service in State security agencies

Since 1975, Sergei Ivanov served in the state security agencies. His career was connected with the First Main Directorate of the KGB of the USSR (foreign Intelligence), and after 1991 — with the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) of the Russian Federation.

During his service, Ivanov was repeatedly sent on long-term business trips abroad. His work has been reported in the UK, Finland and Kenya. By the end of the 1990s, he served as Deputy Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, overseeing issues of analysis and planning.

Government activities

In 1999, Sergei Ivanov joined the Security Council of the Russian Federation, where he took up the post of secretary of the department. In March 2001, he was appointed Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, becoming the first civilian in this position in the modern history of the country.

In 2005, his powers expanded: Ivanov became Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, retaining the post of head of the defense department. In 2007, he was appointed First Deputy Prime Minister. From December 2011 to August 2016, Sergei Ivanov headed the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation, after which he moved to the post of special representative of the head of state, which he held until February 2026.

In the status of special representative of the President of the Russian Federation, Ivanov oversaw issues of ecology, conservation of biodiversity and development of transport infrastructure. He also remained a permanent member of the Russian Security Council. Under his supervision, projects were implemented to protect rare animal species, in particular the Far Eastern leopard, and programs to eliminate environmental damage in the Arctic.

Titles and awards

Sergei Ivanov held the military rank of Colonel-General in retirement. He was also a full state Adviser of the Russian Federation, 1st class.

For his many years of public service, he was awarded numerous awards, including the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, I, II, III and IV degrees, which makes him a full knight of this order. He was also awarded the Orders of Honor, Alexander Nevsky and other insignia.