Tula's new interim governor organized Yanukovych's escape from Kiev
Alex Dyumin—the recently appointed interim governor for Tula, which lies just south of Moscow—coordinated the evacuation of toppled Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, after the start of the revolution in Kiev in early 2014. Dyumin both devised the plan and participated in the operation to extract Yanukovich to Russia, sources close to Russia's Armed Forces told the newspaper Kommersant.
All available options by land, sea, and air were considered for Yanukovych's evacuation, reports Kommersant.
President Vladimir Putin has “praised” both the operation and actions of Dyumin's team. Dyumin was recently promoted for these achievements to Joint Staff chief and to first deputy commander of Russia's Ground Forces under Oleg Salyukov.
Until 2014, Dyumin worked for the Federal Security Guard Service (FSO), which ensures the safety of the Russian president. Dyumin became acquainted with members of Putin's inner circle—in particular, those who often play hockey with the Russian leader, reports Kommersant.
[Dyumin's] work at the FSO brought him into contact “with many people from Vladimir Putin's entourage,” particularly after Russia's head of state developed an interest in playing hockey.
In 2011, Dyumin participated with SKA Ice Hockey Team vice president Roman Rotenberg in a charity friendly ice hockey game for the SKA Legends. In 2012, Dyumin became an advisor to the SKA's chairman of the board, Gennady Timchenko.
Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was secretly evacuated to Russia on the night of February 23, 2014, after weeks of protests by Ukrainian citizens.
In 2014, Alex Dyumin was placed in charge of Russia's Special Operations Forces. This covert unit, reports Kommersant, played an important role in the occupation of Crimea. What role Dyumin may have played in the operation is still unclear.
In Tula, Dyumin replaces Vladimir Gruzdev. Vladimir Putin says Gruzdev resigned for personal reasons. (Gruzdev's family recently had another child, and he reportedly asked to be reassigned to a post closer to Moscow.)