Dmitry Patrushev

Dmitry Patrushev
Born	Dmitry Nikolayevich Patrushev (1977-10-13) October 13, 1977 Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Occupation(s)	Banker, politician
Years active	1999–present
Known for	Deputy Prime Minister of Russia (since 2024), Minister of Agriculture (2018–2024), Chairman of Russian Agricultural Bank (2010–2018)

Dmitry Nikolayevich Patrushev (; born 13 October 1977) is a prominent Russian banker and political figure, currently holding the position of deputy prime minister responsible for agriculture since May 2024. Prior to this role, he served as the Minister of Agriculture from 2018 until 2024.

He is the son of Nikolai Patrushev, who formerly led the FSB and acts as secretary of the Russian Security Council, playing a significant role within Vladimir Putin's close circle. The elder Patrushev and Putin have maintained a relationship dating back to the 1970s.

At just 32 years old, Dmitry Patrushev assumed the chairmanship of the Russian Agricultural Bank, which ranks as Russia’s fourth-largest banking institution, marking his early influence in the nation’s financial arena.

Early life and education

Dmitry Patrushev was born in Leningrad on 13 October 1977.

He completed his studies at the State University of Management in 1999, earning a degree in management. Between 2002 and 2004, he pursued education in "World Economy" at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. In 2006, he graduated from the FSB Academy.

On 16 April 2003, he successfully defended his PhD thesis focused on organizational and economic principles of quality management within research institutions at the Saint Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance. Later, on 3 July 2008, he obtained his Doctor of Sciences (DSc) degree in Economics from the same university with a dissertation entitled "State and market regulators in the formation and implementation of industrial policy: The case of natural monopolies of the Fuel-Energy Complex."

Business career

Between 1999 and 2002, Patrushev was employed at the Ministry of Transport. He joined VTB Bank in 2004 and advanced to senior vice president by 2007.

From 2010 through 2018, he led as chairman of the board and participated on the supervisory board of the Russian Agricultural Bank (RSHB). During his tenure, RSHB tackled major issues including initiating approximately 1,500 criminal investigations related to employee fraud, with losses estimated at 23.5 billion rubles. He focused heavily on recovering non-performing loans, successfully decreasing their share from 27% in 2013 to 18% by 2018.

Patrushev enhanced institutional transparency while centralizing risk management, security measures, and internal controls—actions that helped avert potential losses estimated around 100 billion rubles in 2013. He broadened RSHB’s product range for both individuals and corporate clients by introducing new insurance and investment services alongside expanding support for Russia’s agro-industrial sector. From 2010 to 2017, under his guidance, RSHB’s loan portfolio grew fourfold to nearly 2.97 trillion rubles.

Between 2016 and 2021, he held a position on the board of directors at Gazprom. Since 2018, Patrushev has chaired the supervisory board of Russian Agricultural Bank JSC.

Minister of Agriculture

On 18 May 2018, he was appointed as Minister of Agriculture. He was confirmed again on 21 January 2020 within Mikhail Mishustin's Cabinet. During his ministerial leadership, the state initiative "Integrated Development of Rural Areas" was introduced, incorporating agricultural mortgage programs. By late 2020, this initiative had extended to cover 82 regions and affected approximately six million people.

In the year 2020, Russia achieved net exporter status for food products for the first time since Soviet times, with agricultural exports totaling $30.7 billion compared to imports valued at $29.7 billion. By 2023, agricultural export figures rose further to $43.1 billion.

Deputy Prime Minister

On 14 May 2024, Dmitry Patrushev was named Deputy Prime Minister within Mishustin's Second Cabinet, where he is responsible for supervising agriculture, the agro-industrial sector, and environmental affairs.

Sanctions

In response to the Navalny 35 list and Russia's 2022 military actions in Ukraine, Patrushev has been subjected to sanctions imposed by Australia, Canada, Ukraine, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Personal life

Dmitry Patrushev is a father to six children, comprising three sons and three daughters.

His father, Nikolay Platonovich Patrushev, is a distinguished Russian official who led the Federal Security Service from 1999 until 2008 and held the position of Secretary of Russia’s Security Council from 2008 through 2024. Since May 2024, he has served as an advisor to the President of Russia.

Elena Nikolaevna Patrusheva, Dmitry’s mother, practiced as a specialist in ultrasound diagnostics and was employed at Vnesheconombank. In 1993, she co-established Borg LLP, a company engaged in exporting scrap metal.

Dmitry’s brother, Andrey Patrushev, previously held roles including deputy general director for offshore project development at Gazprom Neft and general director of Gazprom Neft Shelf. Since 2021, he has been the director general of the Arctic Initiatives Center.

Awards

• Order of Honour (26 October 2016) – awarded for achievements in providing credit support to the agro-industrial complex
• Medal "For Services to the Chechen Republic" (26 December 2017)
• Honored Worker of Agriculture of the Chechen Republic (15 April 2022)
• Certificate of Merit granted by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation in recognition of dedicated agricultural work
• Diploma from the Association of Russian Banks acknowledging contributions to the national banking sector
• "Banker of the Year" industry accolade (2015)

External links

• Patrushev Jr reveals network behind Danone takeover efforts, Intelligence Online, 10 July 2023 (free registration required)