Russia’s military intel agency chief no more

Moscow, November 22

Russia’s military intelligence chief who oversaw a series of notorious operations abroad has died after a long illness, with Moscow praising him Thursday as a “great man” and a patriot.

Igor Korobov, 62, had headed the Defence Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) since 2016 and was the target of US sanctions. He died on Wednesday after a “long and serious illness,” the ministry said.

Korobov’s 57-year-old first deputy, Vice Admiral Igor Kostyukov, has been appointed acting GRU chief and is likely become his successor, state news agency TASS said, citing a military source. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu expressed his condolences. “The dear memory of this great man, a faithful Russian son and a patriot of the Motherland... will remain forever in our hearts,” the defence ministry said.

The West has accused the powerful agency of carrying out a number of attacks on foreign soil, including the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia with a Soviet-designed nerve agent in Britain in March. The US  has said the GRU was directly involved in interfering in the 2016 poll through “cyber-enabled activities”, while the Netherlands has said they had thwarted a GRU attack on the OPCW global chemical weapons watchdog. Russia has denied  charges.

Korobov did not participate in a gala marking the centenary of the service in early November when Russian President Vladimir Putin heaped praise on the GRU. Korobov’s first deputy Kostyukov reportedly presided over the ceremony. — AFP

Decorated officer, target of US 

• Igor Korobov, 62, had headed the Defence Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) since 2016 and was the target of US sanctions
• Korobov, who joined military intelligence in 1985, received the Hero of Russia decoration for his service
• The US has accused the GRU for interfering in the 2016 US election through ‘cyber-enabled activities’