UN appoints Russian diplomat to senior mine action and policing post
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Russian diplomat Gleb Desyatnikov as Assistant Secretary-General for Mine Action and Police in the UN Department of Peace Operations, the organization announced on October 27.
Desyatnikov has served as Russia's ambassador to Jordan since 2018. According to the UN, he has more than 35 years of experience in international relations, political affairs, security and diplomacy in conflict-affected regions.
Before becoming ambassador, he was deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at Russia's Foreign Ministry from 2010 to 2018.
He previously worked at Russia's Permanent Mission to the UN in New York and held several positions dealing with Iraq and Jordan. He also served on assignments with the UN Special Commission on Iraq between 1994 and 1997.
Desyatnikov holds a master's degree in international relations from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations and speaks Russian, English and Arabic.
His new position is part of the UN Department of Peace Operations, which oversees peacekeeping activities, including mine action and policing.
The appointment comes as Ukraine continues to face extensive contamination from landmines and unexploded ordnance following Russia's invasion.