Dead at 73, Sergei Ivanov was once Russia’s almost-president but wound up saving leopards instead of succeeding Putin
Sergei Ivanov, a former defense minister and the man who came closer than anyone else to the Russian presidency before the end of Vladimir Putin’s second term, died on June 26. After Putin chose Dmitry Medvedev over Ivanov as his successor, Ivanov served as deputy prime minister in the 2008–2011 cabinet and later as the president’s chief of staff. In 2016, however, he moved to the post of presidential envoy for environmental affairs and transportation, which he held until February 2026. He appears to have retired because of health problems. At Meduza’s request, a Russian journalist who has studied Ivanov’s biography reflects on his life and how, despite a spectacular defeat in 2007, he found his calling on the sidelines of government service.
Sergei Ivanov, a prominent figure in Russian politics and former defense minister, died at 73. He was once considered a potential successor to Vladimir Putin but was ultimately passed over for Dmitry Medvedev in 2007. After serving in various roles, including deputy prime minister and chief of staff, Ivanov transitioned to a presidential envoy for environmental affairs and transportation, where he focused on conservation efforts and environmental reforms.
- Sergei Ivanov, a former defense minister and close associate of Vladimir Putin, has died at the age of 73.
- Ivanov was a leading candidate to succeed Putin in 2007 but was ultimately not chosen, with Dmitry Medvedev becoming president.
- He held significant positions including deputy prime minister and chief of staff before moving to a role focused on environmental affairs and transportation.
- In his later career, Ivanov became a dedicated advocate for environmental conservation, particularly for Amur leopards, and pushed for reforms in waste management and forestry.
- Ivanov’s career was marked by his background in security services and his ability to navigate Russian politics, though he was often seen as an independent figure without a strong political clan.
- Despite not reaching the presidency, Ivanov’s later work in environmentalism was described as substantive and a role he found fulfilling.
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