On Wednesday, the Kremlin announced that President Vladimir Putin has appointed Alexei Dyumin, his former bodyguard and current aide, as the secretary of the State Council, an influential advisory body to the Russian head of state. This appointment comes after Putin’s re-election for another six-year term earlier this year.
Dyumin’s expanding role
Dyumin, who was made an aide specializing in the defense industry following Putin’s re-election, has now been given additional responsibilities within the State Council. The decree confirming Dyumin’s new role was published on the Kremlin‘s website on Wednesday morning.
Speculations on Putin’s successor
Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser, recently noted that many believe Putin views Dyumin as a potential successor. Although Putin, 71, is expected to continue his rule for the foreseeable future, speculation about his eventual successor persists among Moscow’s political elite. Dyumin’s name has frequently surfaced in these discussions.
Dyumin’s background
Dyumin, 51, was brought into the Kremlin earlier this month after serving as the governor of Russia’s Tula region. His career began in 1995 with Russia’s Federal Guards Service (FSO), responsible for the security of the Kremlin elite. Dyumin has also served as deputy head of the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence agency.
This significant appointment underscores Dyumin’s rising influence and the trust President Putin placed in him as he navigates his new term in office.
