Sergei Stepashin

Stepashin's career is marked by a series of high-level appointments that few have matched. He served as Prime Minister, Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Justice, and Director of the FSB, a rare combination of security and administrative roles. His 13-year tenure as Chairman of the Accounts Chamber made him one of the longest-serving heads of that body, during which he oversaw audits of trillions of rubles in state spending. His ability to navigate the turbulent politics of the 1990s and remain a respected figure in the security establishment is a testament to his political survival skills.