Igor Kostyukov

Admiral Igor Olegovich Kostyukov (born 21 February 1961) is a Russian naval officer who has served as the director of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (formerly known as the GRU) since 2018. After graduating from the Military Diplomatic Academy of the Soviet Armed Forces, he spent much of his career in the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU).

Early life and education Kostyukov was born on 21 February 1961 in the Amur Oblast, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. His education included a naval school and the Military Diplomatic Academy of the Soviet Armed Forces (present-day Military University of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation).

Military career After graduating from the Military Diplomatic Academy, he served in the Main Intelligence Directorate, or GRU (since 2010 known as the Main Directorate, or GU). In 2004 Kostyukov was a military attaché at the Russian embassy in Athens, Greece. In 2017 he was awarded the title Hero of the Russian Federation for his role in the Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war. He was further promoted to the rank of admiral in 2019. He was in charge of security during President Vladimir Putin's visit to Syria in January 2020. The Moscow Times considered Kostyukov to have disappeared from public view in mid-March together with other senior siloviki (key Russian security officials), including Sergey Shoigu, Viktor Zolotov and Valery Gerasimov.

In January and February 2026, he led the Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for peace negotiations with Ukraine, where he met with Rustem Umerov and Kyrylo Budanov. In April 2026, he was present at the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Personal life In December 2016 he was sanctioned by the United States over alleged Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections.

Awards and decorations Hero of the Russian Federation Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" (2nd class) Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" (3rd class) Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" (4th class) Order of Alexander Nevsky Order of Courage Order of Honour