Who is Alexei Dyumin, Putin's ex-bodyguard, tapped to turn the tide against Ukraine's incursion in Kursk?

As Russia grapples with one of the most significant incursions on its soil since World War II, President Vladimir Putin has turned to a trusted confidant, Alexei Dyumin, to oversee the military and civilian response to Ukraine’s audacious assault on the Kursk border region.

Dyumin, once Putin’s bodyguard and now a key figure in Russia’s political and military circles, has been tasked with driving Ukrainian forces out of Russian territory, marking a crucial moment in the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

Who is Alexei Dyumin?

Born on August 28, 1972, in Kursk, Alexei Dyumin has a storied career in Russia’s military and intelligence services. His father served as a military medic, and his mother was a teacher, grounding him in a family dedicated to public service.

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Dyumin’s career began in 1995 when he joined the Federal Guards Service (FSO), eventually guarding prominent figures like President Boris Yeltsin and Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin.

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In August 1999, Dyumin became part of Putin’s security team, a role that would cement his place in Putin’s inner circle. “I was part of a group of officers which ensured the security of the president everywhere—in Russia and abroad,” Dyumin once remarked, reflecting on his early years as Putin’s protector.

His responsibilities grew over time, and by 2012, he was appointed deputy head of the presidential bodyguard. Dyumin’s rise continued as he took on roles of increasing significance, including deputy head of the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence agency, in 2014, where he played a key role in the annexation of Crimea.

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What is the situation in Kursk?

The situation in Kursk has escalated rapidly, with Ukrainian forces seizing control of a substantial portion of the region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently claimed that his forces now control 1,000 square kilometres (386 square miles) of Russian territory, though independent analysts suggest the figure might be somewhat lower.

Nonetheless, Ukraine’s advance represents a significant blow to Moscow, which has struggled to regain ground in the face of the Ukrainian offensive.

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Kursk’s acting Governor, Alexey Smirnov, reported that Ukrainian forces have taken control of 28 towns and villages, covering approximately 480 square kilometers, forcing 180,000 residents to flee their homes.

This is the largest military operation on Russian soil since the onset of Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, an invasion that was initially intended to be a swift and decisive victory but has now dragged on into its third year.

Why has Putin tapped Dyumin for this role?

In response to the growing crisis, Putin has appointed Dyumin to lead the effort to repel the Ukrainian forces. While there has been no official Kremlin announcement of his appointment, multiple sources confirm that Dyumin has been given the responsibility of overseeing the military and civilian responses in Kursk and reporting directly to Putin.

His assignment has been met with approval from Russian military bloggers, who see Dyumin’s involvement as a sign that the Kremlin is taking decisive action to address the situation.

“Dyumin’s appointment means Putin’s team takes full control of the situation in order to stop the fraud window dressing, and also to begin to solve the problem rather than try to freeze it,” wrote Rybar, a prominent pro-Kremlin voice.

Despite his new role, Dyumin does not currently hold an official position within the Ministry of Defence or the Federal Security Service, which Putin publicly tasked with driving out the Ukrainian forces.

However, his recent appointment as the secretary of Russia’s State Council, an advisory body that sets strategic domestic and foreign policy goals, suggests he remains a pivotal figure within the Russian government.

What makes Dyumin special?

Dyumin’s career is marked by loyalty and a willingness to undertake challenging assignments. His reputation as an effective and reliable administrator was solidified during his tenure as governor of the Tula region, where he gained popularity for driving industrial growth.

His earlier military exploits, including his role as deputy head of Russia’s GRU, have made him one of Putin’s most trusted lieutenants.

One of the more colourful anecdotes from Dyumin’s time as Putin’s bodyguard involves him protecting the Russian president from a bear. In a 2016 interview with Kommersant, Dyumin recalled the incident: “We looked each other in the eyes, he stepped back a bit. I opened the door and unloaded the entire cartridge of my pistol under his legs. I felt pity for the bear.” The bear retreated, and Putin later praised Dyumin for sparing the animal.

Dyumin’s rise through the ranks has been closely watched, with some speculating that he could be a potential successor to Putin. His involvement in the annexation of Crimea and his subsequent sanctions by the US, UK, and European Union have only heightened his profile within Russia’s political elite.

The operation to expel Ukrainian forces is ongoing, with Russia employing air strikes, drone attacks, and artillery fire to halt further Ukrainian advances. According to Russia’s defence ministry, the Russian army has already cleared one Ukrainian-occupied village and claims to have killed at least 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers since the start of the operation.

With inputs from agencies