Shlyakhturov was appointed head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the Russian General Staff, Russia's largest intelligence agency, on 24 April 2009.

[1] Prior to this, Shlyakhturov had served as first deputy to the previous head of the organisation, Gen. Valentin Korabelnikov.

[citation needed] Korabelnikov had apparently tendered his resignation earlier in year due to disagreements over reforms of the organisation.

[1] Shlyakhturov resigned as head by end of 2011 due to age limits.

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