Distraught Putin weeps over coffin of close pal who died ‘trying to save a man’s life in Arctic drill’

DISTRAUGHT Vladimir Putin has wept over the coffin of a close pal who died “trying to save a man’s life in an Arctic drill”. A grief-stricken Putin appeared devastated as he said farewell today to the open coffin of his emergencies’ minister – and former personal bodyguard – who died on Tuesday ‘trying to save a man”. East2WestA grief-stricken Putin weeping at the edge of a close pal’s coffin who died in a military drill[/caption] East2WestThe Russian leader consoling Yevgeny Zinichev’s family[/caption] The Russian leader twice rested his head on the coffin of Yevgeny Zinichev, 55, which was draped in the country’s tricolour flag.  Putin then sat with the minister’s widow Natalya and son Denis at the funeral ceremony.  He twice approached the open coffin, bowing his head, and as he walked away appeared distraught.  Putin has spoken of his  “irreplaceable personal loss” in losing Zinichev – a former FSB deputy director – who he called a man of “incredible inner strength, courage and bravery”. He had awarded Zinichev a posthumous Hero of Russia award, the country’s highest honour.  Some believe Putin was grooming Zinichev – like him one a KGB operative – as his eventual successor.  He had enjoyed a spectacular rise under Putin and had been tipped recently for a new powerful role on the Kremlin’s security council.  Most read in The Sun 'rivalry lives on' This Morning fans spot Ruth’s ‘obvious disdain’ for Phillip BOOS FOR ROYALS Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview booed by audience at National TV Awards TEACHER ACCUSED Primary school deputy head, 44, charged over rape of girl under 13 gogglebaby Gogglebox's Pete Sandiford is a dad as co-star lets slip his baby news at NTAs FOR SOPHIE Corrie’s Mollie Gallagher's tears as she dedicates NTA win to Sophie Lancaster TOTAL SICKO Perv stabbed woman with a syringe filled with his SEMEN in horrifying attack Details have been sketchy but Zinichev is believed to have died at or near the 90ft Kitabo-Oron waterfall at Putorana Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Arctic, during a military exercise. The official account says he sought to save documentary-maker-cameraman Alexander Melnik, 63, who had slipped as they stood on an icy rock. In the event, both men died.  “While rescuing a life, he took risk without a second of doubt, and died while fulfilling his duty,” said Putin. Official accounts have not confirmed the exact location of the tragedy.  The inter-agency exercise was taking place in northern Siberia and involved 6,000 specialists who cover various crisis situations. It’s believed Zinichev died at Putorana Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Arctic APZinichev, an army general and former KGB officer, had been tipped as a possible successor to Putin[/caption] We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun news desk? Email us at exclusive@the-sun.co.uk or call 02077824104. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours Click here to get The Sun newspaper delivered for FREE for the next six weeks.