Sergei Ivanov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sergei Ivanov
|
|
|---|---|
|
Сергей Иванов
|
|
_(cropped).jpg)
Ivanov in 2019
|
|
| Special Presidential Envoy on the Issues of Environmental Activities, Ecology and Transport |
|
| In office 12 August 2016 – 4 February 2026 |
|
| Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration |
|
| In office 22 December 2011 – 12 August 2016 |
|
| President | Dmitry Medvedev Vladimir Putin |
| Preceded by | Sergey Naryshkin |
| Succeeded by | Anton Vaino |
| Deputy Prime Minister | |
| In office 12 May 2008 – 22 December 2011 |
|
| President | Dmitry Medvedev |
| First Deputy Prime Minister | |
| In office 15 February 2007 – 7 May 2008 Serving with Dmitry Medvedev
|
|
| Preceded by | Dmitry Medvedev |
| Succeeded by | Viktor Zubkov |
| 5th Minister of Defense | |
| In office 28 March 2001 – 15 February 2007 |
|
| Preceded by | Igor Sergeyev |
| Succeeded by | Anatoly Serdyukov |
| Secretary of the Security Council | |
| In office 15 November 1999 – 28 March 2001 |
|
| President | Boris Yeltsin Vladimir Putin |
| Preceded by | Vladimir Putin |
| Succeeded by | Vladimir Rushailo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 31 January 1953 Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union (now Saint Petersburg, Russia) |
| Died | 26 June 2026 (aged 73) Moscow, Russia |
| Spouse | Natalia Ivanova |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Leningrad State University FSB Academy |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
|
| Service | KGB Foreign Intelligence Service Federal Security Service |
| Rank | Colonel General |
Sergei Borisovich Ivanov (Russian: Сергей Борисович Иванов born January 31, 1953 – died June 26, 2026) was an important Russian government official. He held many high-ranking positions throughout his career. He served as the Secretary of the Security Council, which helps the president make decisions about national safety. He was also the Minister of Defense, in charge of Russia's military. Later, he became a Deputy Prime Minister, helping to manage different parts of the government. He also served as the Chief of Staff for the President's office, a very important role in helping the president run the country.
Before working in the main government in Moscow, Ivanov worked in Europe and Africa. He was a specialist in law and foreign languages. In his early career, he worked for the Soviet intelligence service, where he became friends with Vladimir Putin. He was part of a close group of advisors to Putin.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Sergei Ivanov was born in Leningrad, which is now called Saint Petersburg, on January 31, 1953. In 1975, he graduated from Leningrad State University. There, he studied English and Swedish.
After his university studies, Ivanov began a career in an external intelligence service. In 1976, he completed further studies in protecting national secrets at the Higher Courses of the intelligence service in Minsk.
Upon graduating in 1976, Ivanov worked for the Leningrad intelligence office. There, he became friends with Vladimir Putin, who was also a colleague. In 1981, he studied at a special institute for foreign intelligence.
In the 1980s, Ivanov worked as an intelligence officer at the Soviet Embassy in Helsinki, Finland. After Finland, he was sent to Kenya as an intelligence officer.
Ivanov faced challenges in his early career.
Important Roles in Government
In August 1998, Vladimir Putin became the head of the FSB, which is Russia's main security agency. Putin chose Ivanov to be his deputy. In this role, Ivanov became known as a skilled expert in national security matters.
Leading the Security Council
On November 15, 1999, Boris Yeltsin appointed Ivanov as the Secretary of the Security Council of Russia. This council is a group that advises the president on important national security issues. Ivanov's job was to help coordinate the council's daily work. He replaced Putin in this role when Putin became the Prime Minister.
Serving as Minister of Defense
In March 2001, President Vladimir Putin appointed Ivanov as Russia's Minister of Defense. This was a notable appointment because Ivanov was the first civilian (someone not actively serving in the military) to hold this position. President Putin said this change was a step towards making public life less focused on the military. As Defense Minister, Ivanov was responsible for making improvements to the military.
Ivanov worked to make the army more professional. He also helped reduce the number of people who had to join the military through the draft system.
As Defense Minister, Ivanov worked with U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. They aimed to expand cooperation between Russia and the U.S. against international threats.
In May 2001, Ivanov was elected chairman of the Council of Commonwealth of Independent States Defense Ministers.
In October 2003, Ivanov stated that Russia would protect its national interests around the world.
.jpg)
Ivanov often spoke directly about international military and political issues. However, his general political ideas were moderate, especially on economic matters. For example, he supported the economic changes and privatizations from the 1990s.
Becoming Deputy Prime Minister
In November 2005, Ivanov was appointed to the post of Deputy Prime Minister. In this role, he was responsible for areas like manufacturing and selling weapons to other countries. On February 15, 2007, Putin relieved him of his duties as Defense Minister. He was then elevated to the position of First Deputy Prime Minister. His new responsibilities included the defense industry, aerospace industry, nanotechnology, and transport. In June 2007, Ivanov was appointed chairman of the Government Council for Nanotechnology.
The 2008 Presidential Election
Because President Putin was very popular, many people thought his choice for the next president would win. Sergei Ivanov was seen as a possible candidate for president in the 2008 Russian presidential election. This was partly because his career path was similar to Putin's.
Both had studied in Leningrad and worked in intelligence services. However, the United Russia party nominated Ivanov's colleague Dmitry Medvedev to run for the presidency. Medvedev had Putin's backing. Ivanov also expressed his support for Medvedev's candidacy.
Working as Chief of Staff
In December 2011, Ivanov was appointed Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of Russia. This is a very important job, as the Chief of Staff helps the president manage the entire executive office. He played a role in discussions about national security and foreign policy.
On August 12, 2016, President Putin changed some of his top officials. Ivanov was relieved of his Chief of Staff position and was replaced by Anton Vaino. Ivanov then took on a new role as a special envoy for transportation and the environment.
His Passing
Sergei Ivanov passed away on June 26, 2026, at the age of 73.
About His Life
Sergei Ivanov married in 1976 and had two children. He was fluent in English and Swedish. He also spoke Norwegian and some French. His hobbies included fishing and reading detective novels in English. Ivanov supported CSKA Moscow sports teams. He could often be seen at their football and basketball matches.
One of his sons, Sergei Sergeevich Ivanov, became a banker. He worked in important positions at several large companies, including Gazprombank and Sberbank. He also became the CEO of the diamond mining company Alrosa.
