It would also be important to note that Dyumin has to rise from the ranks of Putin’s security and rise to this position, which is an indication that Putin has a lot of faith and confidence in him. Since 1999, Dyumin has been one of Putin’s most trusted bodyguards, and at one time, it was reported to have saved Putin from a bear attack.
The appointment also occurs against the backdrop of several new changes in the upper echelon of the Russian government under Putin after his inauguration for the fifth term as the President of the Russian Federation. Dyumin’s promotion comes after Shoigu, another close ally of Putin, was removed as defense minister of the Russian Federation and appointed to the post of secretary of the Russian Security Council.
Interesting is also the biography of Dyumin, who, before being appointed to the post of head of the region, was the Deputy head of the special operations department of the Russian military intelligence (GRU). This division was instrumental in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, for which Dyumin is also a sanctioned individual.
The State Council, which is under Dyumin’s control, has been the state body with primarily representative functions. However, its role has been amplified since Putin extended the presidency term through the constitutional amendments in 2020, enabling him to stay in power until 2036.
Critics posit that Dyumin’s appointment is part of Putin’s plan to tighten his grip on power and ensure he has loyalists around him who can assist in managing the ever-evolving global environment. As Russia remains an object of criticism from international society due to its invasion of Ukraine, the members of the Kremlin’s close circle have evolved into important players in decision-making within the Russian Federation.
