Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Sergei Ivanov, his chief of staff and one of his closest allies, in the most high-profile power reshuffle at the Kremlin in years.
A statement from the Kremlin said, Putin had decreed to relieve Ivanov of his duties as head of the Russian Presidential Administration.
Anton Vaino, has been appointed as his successor.
The change comes just over a month before nationwide parliamentary elections and follows a reshuffle of regional leaders last month.