Viktor Ivanov

Who is Viktor Ivanov?

Viktor Petrovich Ivanov is a Russian politician and businessman, former KGB officer, who served in the KGB Directorate of Leningrad and its successors in 1977–1994. Currently, he is the Director of The Federal Narcotics Service of Russia.

In 1987–1988 as a KGB officer he took part in the Soviet war in Afghanistan.

In December 1990 together with Boris Gryzlov and Valentin Chuykin he founded the small-scale enterprise Blok engaged in various businesses and became its director.

In October 1994 he resigned from FSK and was appointed Chief of the Administrative Staff of the Saint Petersburg Mayor Office. In 1999 he succeeded Nikolai Patrushev as the Head of the Internal Security Department of Russia's FSB. Since January 5, 2000, he has been a Deputy Head of the Presidential Staff for personnel appointed by Vladimir Putin. Viktor Ivanov is considered one of Putin's closest allies.

In September 2001 Russia's Prime Minister appointed Ivanov representative of the state in the Boards of Directors of the Antei Corporation and Almaz Scientific Industrial Corporation, developing and producing air defence systems, including S-300. On November 22, 2001, he was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of Almaz and initiated the merger of Almaz and Antei. Since June 2002 Ivanov has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the result of the merger, OJSC Almaz-Antei Air Defense Concern.