General Igor Sergun, the man in charge of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Russia's General Staff (known as the GRU) since 2011, died unexpectedly today at the age of 58. The public learned about the death in a telegram of condolences signed by Vladimir Putin, addressed to Sergun's relatives, published on the Kremlin's official website.

Igor Sergun was born on March 28, 1957. He graduated from the Moscow Suvorov Military School, the Moscow Higher Military Command School, the Military Academy of the Soviet Army, and the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

Dating back to 1984, Sergun served in various positions in the Main Intelligence Directorate, taking the helm in 2011.

A short biographical profile of Sergun is published on the Ministry of Defense's website. His full biography is classified.