Putin's Ex-Bodyguard Removed As Governor After Two Months

Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in celebrations for Navy Day in Baltiysk, Kaliningrad region, Russia, July 26, 2015. Putin made a surprising statement on Russian presence in eastern Ukraine. RIA Novosti/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin/Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ended the gubernatorial career of one of his former bodyguards after only two months, on the official's personal request, Interfax news agency reports.

Putin appointed Yevgeny Zynychev as governor of Russia's Kaliningrad region in July, with very little known about him besides his career in the federal security service (FSB).

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov later told news channel RBC that Zynychev had previously served in the president's security service.

The former security official was one of only a few appointments that were not simply rotated from one civil service position to another. However, he has now asked to be removed from his post.

He cited "family reasons" for wanting to be transferred to a different job and, although the Kremlin decided to comply, no announcement was made about what his next appointment would be. Putin did tell Zynychev's successor that he had asked to return to Moscow.

Anton Alikhanov, who was chairman of the regional government of Kaliningrad will now succeed Zynychev as governor at the age of 30.

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