On June 26, 2026, former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov died at the age of 73. His death was announced by the VTB United League, of which he was honorary president. Ivanov was part of Vladimir Putin's inner circle since their time in the security services and was considered one of the most influential people in Russian politics for many years. In the mid-2000s, he was called one of the main contenders for the role of Putin's successor, but he never became President of Russia, losing the race to Dmitry Medvedev. In recent years, Ivanov gradually lost influence: he was removed from key political processes, and in early 2026, he lost his last official posts in the power system. "Novaya-Evropa" tells how Sergei Ivanov will be remembered. Sergei Ivanov, Moscow, September 17, 2025. Photo: Alexander Avilov / Moscow Agency. Career Start Sergei Ivanov was born on January 31, 1953, in Leningrad. In 1975, he graduated from the philological faculty of Leningrad State University. Vladimir Putin also studied at the same university, but at a different faculty; however, as the politicians admitted, they were not yet close friends then. According to Ivanov himself, they first met in 1975 at the KGB department in Leningrad, but their paths diverged for a time later. In 1976, the future Minister of Defense graduated from the Higher Courses of the KGB of the USSR in Minsk, and then from the Red Banner Institute of the KGB of the USSR. Until 1998, Ivanov continued to work in the SVR, rising to the position of first deputy head of one of the departments. During this time, he had long business trips to Finland and Kenya and worked in Great Britain. In 1998, Putin became head of the FSB and remembered his old acquaintance, appointing him as his deputy. For the next almost 20 years, their lives were inextricably linked. In 1999, Putin briefly became Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, and soon Ivanov replaced him in this position. After Putin became President of the Russian Federation, Ivanov took office as Minister of Defense of Russia. He held this position from 2001 to 2007. Also from 2005, Ivanov secured a place in the government of the Russian Federation for several years. He held the position of chairman and then oversaw the military-industrial commission. A successful career brought him to the point where Ivanov was considered one of the possible successors to Putin as president. Medvedev's Rival Ivanov's rival in the race for the presidency was Dmitry Medvedev. Both politicians were part of Putin's inner circle and enjoyed his trust, which is why they were considered the most likely candidates for the succession in the mid-2000s. Their political weight steadily increased: Medvedev, who held the post of First Deputy Prime Minister, oversaw national projects, while Ivanov, after leaving the Ministry of Defense, received the position of First Deputy Prime Minister with an expanded scope of powers. In 2006-2007, federal television channels actively covered the activities of both politicians, which contributed to their increased recognition and ratings. According to the Levada Center, by the end of 2006, Medvedev and Ivanov were confidently leading among potential presidential candidates. At the same time, Medvedev significantly outperformed his rival: sociologists explained this by the fact that he was perceived by society as a softer politician, less connected to the security structures. Ivanov, on the other hand, was primarily associated with the army and a tough management style. In addition, analysts, citing sources, wrote that Putin allegedly envied Ivanov's more successful career in intelligence. Vladimir Putin and Sergei Ivanov during the Sochi-2007 International Investment Forum in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, September 19, 2007. Photo: Vladimir Rodionov / RIA Novosti / EPA. "According to another version, Putin, very sensitive to issues of his own status, chose Medvedev because he was more compliant. Others claim that Ivanov's candidacy was blocked by the 'Family' – Yeltsin's entourage that brought Putin to power," the analysis of the Institute of Modern Russia stated. In December 2007, Vladimir Putin publicly supported Medvedev's candidacy, after which the outcome of the succession race was predetermined. Medvedev won the presidential election in March 2008, garnering over 70% of the vote. Influential Figure Despite Putin supporting Medvedev, Ivanov remained loyal to him. When Putin took office as Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, he appointed his unsuccessful successor as his deputy. There, Ivanov oversaw the military-industrial complex, transport, and communications. Stanislav Belkovsky described his position as "almost humiliating for such a high-ranking friend of Putin." It is likely that the politician's bet on proximity to Putin paid off again, as after Putin's return to the Kremlin, Ivanov took over as Head of the Presidential Administration and became one of the key figures in the Russian political system. His influence increased, and, as described by the Institute of Modern Russia, his role was to maintain balance between various Kremlin clans and coordinate the work of the presidential apparatus. The "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" also called Ivanov the most influential lobbyist in Russia. Despite this, a few years later, "Meduza" wrote about Ivanov as an ordinary "clerk" and considered his career to be "unfulfilled." In August 2016, Putin dismissed Ivanov. "Meduza," citing sources, reported that he was removed because he failed to become an effective head of the presidential administration: key political processes gradually bypassed him, and Putin concluded that Ivanov was avoiding decision-making and poorly controlled the apparatus's work. Additionally, his position was weakened by a conflict with Vyacheslav Volodin, who consolidated domestic policy in his hands. Ivanov's passion for secondary projects and frequent business trips, particularly leopard conservation programs, instead of addressing key administrative tasks, also played against him. Furthermore, according to sources, the official's attitude towards work changed significantly after the death of his son in 2014. Son's Death Sergei Ivanov had two sons – Alexander and Sergei, both of whom had successful careers in state financial and corporate structures. The elder held leadership positions at Vnesheconombank and VTB, while the younger headed the insurance company Sogaz, worked at Gazprombank, Sberbank, and from 2017 to 2023, headed Alrosa. In 2005, Alexander Ivanov was involved in a traffic accident in which 68-year-old Svetlana Beridze died. RIA Novosti reported that pensioner Svetlana Beridze was crossing the road at a crosswalk. Her daughter saw the accident from the window and said that her mother was crossing the street on a green light, and Ivanov was driving on a red light. As a result, the case opened against Ivanov was closed because he "had no technical possibility to prevent hitting the pedestrian." On November 3, 2014, Alexander, at the age of 37, drowned in the UAE while swimming with his daughter in the sea. A source close to the presidential administration told "Meduza" that "children were more important to Ivanov than personal enrichment": – It's hard to imagine that he covered up business for himself – but he did promote his children. The death of Alexander significantly reacted to the Russian internet. Two days later, "Ekho Moskvy" journalist Alexander Plyushchev asked on Twitter whether Ivanov's death could be considered "proof of the existence of higher powers." After a wave of criticism, Plyushchev deleted the message and apologized, but was fired from the radio station by decision of the general director. "Ekho's" editor-in-chief, Alexei Venediktov, called the dismissal illegal, which led to a public conflict between the station's management and the Gazprom-Media holding. A few days later, the dismissal order was canceled. Sergei Ivanov and Vladimir Medinsky, Moscow, June 26, 2024. Photo: Sergei Vedyashkin / Moscow Agency. Resignation into Nowhere After resigning as head of administration, Ivanov took the position of Presidential Special Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology, and Transport. He also served as chairman of the supervisory board of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, a member of the supervisory board of Rostec, and chairman of the board of trustees of the Russian Military Historical Society. He was the honorary president of the VTB United Basketball League. On February 4, 2026, Ivanov was dismissed from the post of Presidential Special Representative, and on February 16, he was removed from the permanent members of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. As BBC Russian Service correspondent Ilya Barabanov writes, "in recent years, it was said that Sergei Ivanov was seriously ill."