Sergei Ivanov, one of Putin’s “successors” in 2008, to whom he was probably afraid to transfer power, died
Former Defense Minister and longtime ally of Vladimir Putin Sergei Ivanov has died at the age of 73, reported the VTB United League, of which he was honorary president. His career reached its peak in 2007, when the media began to call him one of the possible successors in the presidential elections. However, the Project’s source said that Putin never seriously considered his candidacy. Ivanov was four months younger than Putin. Details . The causes of Ivanov's death are not stated.