Putin appoints ex‑bodyguard Alexei Dyumin to security council
Vladimir Putin appointed his former bodyguard Alexei Dyumin to the Russian Federation's Security Council on Monday, Reuters reported. By presidential decree, three other officials were also appointed.
The May appointment of Dyumin as secretary of the State Council sparked speculation that this politician, who is friendly with Putin, could be a potential presidential candidate.
Currently 52 years old, Dyumin first served in the Federal Protective Service (FSO). He has been Putin's bodyguard since 1999 when Putin was appointed Prime Minister of Russia. Later, as reported by Radio Svoboda, he effectively became his aide-de-camp.
In 2013, Dyumin joined the leadership of GRU's military intelligence service and later became Deputy Defense Minister. He holds the rank of Colonel-General (equivalent to Poland’s Lieutenant General). After the annexation of Crimea, Dyumin was awarded the title Hero of Russia. The West imposed sanctions on him.
The Security Council of the Russian Federation is an advisory body. It is chaired by the President of Russia and has former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev as deputy chairman.
