Donetsk, Sep 8 - DAN. The leadership and personnel of the Donetsk People’s Republic Emergencies Ministry have expressed their condolences on the death of Russian Emergency Situations Minister  Yevgeny Ziniichev.

“An executive who enjoyed a high reputation by right both in the Russian Federation and internationally has passed away,” the DPR Emergencies Ministry press service said. “Yevgeny Zinichev was a top professional who died as a true rescuer, in the line of duty.”

Zinichev’s death is an irrecoverable loss. He was wholly devoted to his cause and service to the people; he always reached out a helping hand to the needy, and had a responsible attitude to the solution of problems. “He will stay in our hearts forever,” the DPR Emergencies Ministry said.

Yevgeny Zinichev worked at the USSR’s Committee of State Security (KGB) since 1987. After the breakup of the Soviet Union he continued his career at the Federal Guard Service. He was personal adjutant of Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2006-2015. In June 2015, he was appointed head of the Federal Security Service department for the Kaliningrad region. A year later, he became acting governor of the Kaliningrad region. Zinichev was appointed head of the Russian Emergency Stiuations Ministry in May 2018. He died in an accident during a civil defense exercise in the Krasnoyarsk territory earlier on Wednesday.*jk