Igor Dmitriyevich Sergun (Russian: И́горь Дми́триевич Сергу́н; March 28, 1957 – January 3, 2016) was a Russian Colonel General who served as the Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces from 2011 until his death in 2016. He was also the Deputy Chief of the General Staff.
Early Life and Career
Born in March 1957, Sergun was a career military intelligence officer. He graduated from the Moscow Suvorov Military School, the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School, and the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. He served in various positions within the GRU for over three decades, eventually rising to its leadership.Chief of the GRU
Sergun was appointed head of the GRU and Deputy Chief of the General Staff in December 2011. During his tenure, the GRU, Russia's military intelligence agency, played a significant role in several key Russian foreign policy and military initiatives. He oversaw the agency's involvement in the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, as well as Russia's military intervention in Syria starting in 2015. He was considered a close confidante of Russian President Vladimir Putin.Sanctions
Due to his prominent role as the head of Russia's military intelligence during actions in Ukraine, Sergun was subjected to international sanctions.- United States: In December 2014, the U.S. Treasury Department added Sergun to its sanctions list for his role in undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- European Union: He was also included on the European Union's sanctions list, facing asset freezes and travel bans for his involvement in actions threatening Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence.
Death
Igor Sergun died unexpectedly on January 3, 2016, at the age of 58. The official cause of death was reported as acute heart failure. His death occurred shortly after a reported visit to Syria. He was succeeded as head of the GRU by Igor Korobov.Awards and Decorations
Throughout his distinguished career, Sergun received numerous state awards and decorations from the Russian Federation, including:- Hero of the Russian Federation (posthumously awarded)
- Order "For Merit to the Fatherland"
- Order of Military Merit
- Order of Honour
- Various medals of the Russian Federation