A Russian governor being ‘groomed as successor’ to Vladimir Putin has launched a drone training school for Kremlin troops and secret services operatives to target Ukraine.
Alexei Dyumin, 50, is a former Putin bodyguard and ex-deputy defence minister who secretly led the 2014 operation to spring toppled Kyiv president Viktor Yanukovych from Crimea and bring him to Russia.
He won Putin’s trust by saving the dictator from ‘certain death’ by scaring away a bear which tried to break into a remote presidential mountain residence.
Dyumin is increasingly being used by Putin - reported to have multiple health problems - as a troubleshooter to speed military supplies to the front in Ukraine.
New video and pictures from propagandist outlet RIA FAN show a drone school set up on Dyumin’s orders in Tula region where he is governor.
He recruited trained military instructors as Russia seeks to regain drone supremacy in the war.
Graduates gain certificates and are sent straight to the war to unleash drone attacks or intelligence operations.
“Since the beginning of the special military operation, Alexei Dyumin has been in constant contact with the Russian Defence Ministry, with the command of the units where the Tula reservists serve,” said Maxim Sinyavsky, local trade minister.
“Soldiers were delivered additional equipment, machinery and special equipment.
“Mastering the skills of using drones will allow military personnel to competently perform their tasks.”
Dyumin has served as deputy head of the GRU military intelligence, and holds the army rank of Lieutenant-General.
He was also deputy head of the presidential guard.
Last month Putin travelled to Tula, visiting a major weapons plant where Dyumin has overseen a rise in production.
Putin was seen inspecting armoured personnel vehicles at Shcheglovsky Shaft JSC arms factory.
The governor is increasingly mentioned approvingly on state TV.
Dyumin earlier told how he stared at the bear that came to attack Putin in a mountain retreat.
"Naturally, I was armed, the president was upstairs,” said the governor, seen as a potential action man president if and when Putin is forced to quit.
“So the bear and I looked into each other’s eyes, and he stepped back a little.
“I opened the door and emptied the entire cartridge of my pistol under his feet.”
The beast wisely retreated.
"I felt pity for the bear,” said Dyumin.
Putin later praised him for not shooting dead the beast.
