Sergei Ivanov, Russia’s ex-defense minister once seen as Putin’s likely successor, has died at 73

Sergei Ivanov, a former Russian defense minister and KGB veteran, has died at 73. He served as defense minister under President Vladimir Putin, was considered a potential successor but was bypassed in favor of Dmitry Medvedev, and later held various Kremlin roles before being named a presidential envoy. The Kremlin confirmed his death without specifying the cause.