Moscow (CNN) The head of Russian military intelligence has died at the age of 62, Russian state news agencies reported Thursday.

Igor Korobov, the head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff, died after what the Russian military described as a "serious and prolonged illness," state news agency RIA-Novosti reported.

Korobov was appointed head of the GRU in February 2016. His predecessor in the role, Igor Sergun, had died the previous month at the age of 58, having headed the agency since 2011, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

The Main Directorate -- traditionally referred to as the GRU -- is accused by the West of being behind a string of brazen attacks against international targets.

Britain believes the GRU orchestrated the nerve agent attack in Salisbury, England, earlier this year against former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia.

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