Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree releasing Mikhail Zubarov from his post as Russian ambassador to Ukraine on Thursday, according to a statement on the Kremlin's website.

Zubarov has been Russia's ambassador to Ukraine since 2009, having previously served as a presidential advisor. His firing was part of a significant governmental reshuffle on Thursday.

He is likely to be succeeded by Mikhail Babich, currently the presidential envoy to the Volga Federal District, the RBC news website reported, citing sources close to the Kremlin.

According to some reports, Zubarov appealed to Putin on several occasions to be released from his position in Kiev, especially after the Maidan Revolution in 2014.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Sergei Toporov will serve in Kiev as Russia's chargé d'affaires until a new ambassador is appointed

