Putin appoints former bodyguard Dyumin to security council
Reuters reported that Vladimir Putin appointed his former bodyguard, Alexei Dyumin, to the Russian Federation's Security Council on Monday. Three other officials were also appointed by presidential decree.
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 candidate for the presidency.
Dyumin, 52, first served in the Federal Protective Service (FSO), the counterpart of Poland’s Government Protection Bureau (BOR). 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 the Deputy Defence 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.
