Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the funeral of Minister of Emergency Affairs Yevgeny Zinichev in Moscow on Sept. 10 and said goodbye with great sadness, leaning over Twice to rest his head on Zinichev's open coffin. On September 8, Zinichev died in order to save a photographer who fell into the water. It is reported that the 55-year-old army general is considered the "successor" of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Putin sits at the funeral with Talya, Zinichev's widow, Talia (right) and son Dennis (left).
Putin reportedly sat at the funeral with Talya, Zinichev's widow, and son Dennis, whose open coffin was covered with a Russian flag.
Putin, who presented roses at the funeral, looked grieved in his farewell to Zinichev's body, leaning over twice to lean his head against the open coffin.
Mr. Putin, sad to bid farewell to Mr. Zinichev's body, leaned over twice and rested his head on the open coffin.
Putin posthumously awarded Zenichev the "Hero of Russia Award," Russia's highest honor.
It is reported that on September 8, the Russian Arctic city of Norilsk held a military exercise, the 63-year-old documentary filmmaker Alexander Melnik was filmed at the scene, accidentally slipped and fell into the ice water.
The scene of Zinichev's funeral.
Standing nearby, Zinichev jumped into the water in defiance of his body, trying to save the director who fell into the water, but unfortunately hit a protruding rock and was seriously injured.
Director Melnik drowned, and Zinichev died in a helicopter while being airlifted from the scene of the accident to the hospital.
Putin lays flowers at the funeral.
After Learning of Zinichev's death, Putin expressed his deep condolences and condolences to Zinichev's widow Natalia and son Dennis.
Putin said: "We have lost a real combat officer, a comrade, a man of incredible inner strength, courage and bravery. For me, this is an irreplaceable personal loss. ”
Putin also said: "I have always known that in any situation, even the most complex case, I can rely on Yevgeny, who is a reliable, loyal friend and a professional of the highest level." He is committed to serving the motherland and the people. In saving lives, he did not hesitate to take risks and sacrifice in the performance of his duties. ”
Army General Zinichev, 55, is considered Putin's "successor."
It is reported that Zinichev is a former KGB and FSA official, and a former deputy director of the FSA's counterintelligence agency.
He served as governor of Kaliningrad Oblast and, like Putin, was born in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg.
From 2006 to 2015, Zinichev served as Putin's personal aide-de-camp and is credited with being one of Putin's security guards. Sources said Putin had "complete trust" in Zinichev, and some believe Putin is grooming him as a possible presidential successor.
He worked for three years in the position of Minister of Emergency Affairs and was also a member of the Russian Security Council.
Text/Nandu reporter Chen Lin