Russian spy chief dies after Putin criticism
RUSSIA’S spy agency chief has died weeks after he was allegedly given a furious dressing-down by Vladimir Putin over the bungled Salisbury poisonings.
General Colonel Igor Korobov, head of the GRU since 2016, died on Wednesday at 62 after ‘a serious and long illness’, Russia’s defence ministry said. Defence officials described him as a ‘true son of Russia’.
His predecessor, Igor Sergun, also died suddenly two years earlier, aged 58.
His death comes after a series of embarrassments for the GRU military intelligence agency and speculation about his fate. Earlier this year it was accused of orchestrating the operation to poison Mr Skripal and his daughter.
Mr Korobov was understood to have faced criticism by Russian officials over the botched plan, which led to the death of innocent civilian Dawn Sturgess and the exposure of key Russian agents.
According to reports last month, Mr Putin personally shouted at Mr Korobov over the ‘deep incompetence’ shown in the novichok attack and other international operations.
He was said to have emerged shaken and in sudden ‘ill health’ after his confrontation with the furious leader. Other reports said he had collapsed at his high-security home afterwards.
Evgeny Buzhinksky, a former Russian general, dismissed allegations of foul play yesterday.
He told the BBC: ‘It was a long, long struggle against a very bad disease... In Russia no one is suspicious, believe me.’ Meanwhile President Putin expressed his condolences to Mr Korobov’s relatives, saying he had led a ‘legendary agency’.