‘For his heroism and courage displayed in the performance of his official duties,’ the document justifying the award stated.
Zinichev died during an emergency drill in the Russian Arctic city of Norilsk, trying to save the life of film director Alexander Melnik.
This Wednesday, the Russian president described the official as a reliable, loyal and professional friend, in a message of condolences to the deceased’s wife and son.
Since 1987, Zinichev worked in Russia’s security agencies, and by late July 2016, he was appointed as acting governor of the Kaliningrad region.
From October 2016 to May 2018, he was a deputy director of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), and from that date, he served as Emergency Situations minister.
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