Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a farewell ceremony in Moscow to pay tribute to former defence minister Sergei Ivanov.
The event marks the loss of a key political figure who served as a longtime ally to Putin and was once regarded as a potential successor to the presidency.
Ivanov died on June 26, 2026, at the age of 73 [1]. The ceremony took place at the Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow [2]. During the proceedings, Putin placed red roses on the coffin and met with members of Ivanov's family [2].
Ivanov held several high-ranking positions within the Russian government, most notably serving as the minister of defence. His career spanned decades of service to the state, during which he maintained a close personal and professional relationship with the president [1].
The gathering at the hospital served as a formal recognition of Ivanov's influence on Russian security and administration. Attendees observed the rites as the state honored the former minister's contributions to the country's military infrastructure [2].
Official reports confirm the date of death as June 26, 2026 [1]. The presence of the president at the hospital underscores the significance of the bond between the two men, a partnership that defined much of the Russian political landscape for years.
“Putin placed red roses on the coffin and met with members of Ivanov's family”
The death of Sergei Ivanov removes one of the most enduring figures of the Putin era. As a former defence minister and a man once viewed as a likely successor, Ivanov represented a bridge between the security services and the executive branch. His passing simplifies the internal hierarchy of the Kremlin's old guard while reminding observers of the tight-knit circle of loyalty that sustains the current administration.
