Russia appoints acting permanent representative to UN

Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Pyotr Ilyichev has been appointed as acting Permanent Representative to the organization after Vitaly Churkin’s unexpected death, a representative of Russian Foreign Ministry’s press service said.

"Pyotr Ilyichev has become acting Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations," TASS cited him as saying.

Ilyichev will head Russia’s diplomatic mission until the appointment of the new Permanent Representative

Vitaly Churkin died on February 20, a day before his 65th birthday. He had been Russia’s UN ambassador since April 8, 2006, representing the country in the United Nations Security Council.