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Head of Russian military intelligence GRU dead 'after long and serious illness' Russian military intelligence GRU chief dies after ‘serious illness’ – MoD
(about 11 hours later)
The head of the Russian Military Intelligence Directorate (GRU), Colonel General Igor Korobov has died “after a long and serious illness,” the Defense Ministry has confirmed. Colonel General Igor Korobov, who led the Russian Military Intelligence Directorate (GRU), died due to health problems, the MoD confirmed. He is the second GRU chief to pass away in two years.
The statement announcing Korobov's death was released around 2:00 am Moscow time (11:00 pm GMT) on Thursday morning.
Korobov took his post at the helm of the Directorate in 2016, and directed the GRU operations against terrorist forces in Syria. In 2017, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation, the highest state honor.
Korobov began his military career in the late 1970s, serving in the Soviet Air Force before being selected to join the military intelligence branch. He later went on to oversee Russia's strategic intelligence gathering, and ultimately, to lead the entire agency. Korobov, 62, died “after a long and serious illness,” the Defense Ministry said on Thursday. He joined the army in the late 1970s and served in the air force before moving to military intelligence. Last year, he was awarded the title ‘Hero of Russia’, the nation’s highest honor.
Korobov held the position at a time when GRU became a household name for anti-Russian politicians everywhere. The Directorate was blamed for things like the poisoning of former Russian-British double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, as well as the supposed hacking attacks on the 2016 US presidential election. Korobov’s death makes him the second top spy chief to pass away in just two years.The previous head of the GRU, Colonel General Igor Sergun, died in 2016. This led to speculation, as a report from the private US intelligence firm Stratfor alleged that Sergun died during a mission in Lebanon. The Defense Ministry, however, stated that the GRU chief died from a heart attack in a state recreational facility near Moscow.
Those latter allegations made Korobov one of the targets of anti-Russian sanctions in the US. Despite that, he paid an official visit to Washington early this year, according to US media reports citing anonymous sources. Along with the heads of other Russian intelligence services, Korobov went to Washington to discuss counter-terrorism with then-CIA Director Mike Pompeo. There has not been an official confirmation of his visit from either side. Due to its extremely secretive nature, not much is known about the scope of GRU operations or its tactics. Nevertheless, under Korobov’s leadership, the agency became a household name in the West for Moscow’s perceived attempts to influence the world.
Washington and some EU politicians accused the GRU of meddling in various elections, carrying out cyberattacks across the globe, as well as poisoning former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, UK – actions Moscow has repeatedly denied doing.
Despite rising tensions between the US and Russia, the nations’ spy chiefs continued to seek ways for cooperation. Earlier this year, Korobov along with several colleagues made a surprise trip to Washington. The visit angered some US Senators, but then-head of the CIA Mike Pompeo defended hosting the Russians, saying it is crucial to join forces in combating terrorism.
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