Kiriyenko was replaced as presidential envoy to the Volga Federal District by Bashkortostan’s prosecutor Alexander Konovalov.

Former head of the nuclear agency Alexander Rumayntsev, was appointed to a new position.

Kiriyenko, 43, has held a series of senior government positions, including that of fuel and energy minister in 1997-1998 and prime minister from April 1998 to August 1998 under President Yeltsin.