MOSCOW, August 24. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree, appointing Presidential Envoy to the Volga Federal District Mikhail Babich as Russia’s Ambassador to Belarus and Special Presidential Envoy for Trade and Economic Cooperation with Belarus. The decree has been published on the official website containing legal information.

"Mikhail Babich is hereby appointed as Russia’s Ambassador to the Republic of Belarus," the document reads.

Another presidential decree relieved Babich from his responsibilities as presidential envoy to the Volga Federal District.

Babich, 49, was born in the city of Ryazan. He graduated from the Ryazan Higher Military Command College of Communication in 1990, from the law faculty of the Moscow Institute of Economy, Management and Law in 1998, from the State Academy of Management in 2000 and from the Advanced Training Faculty of the Russian General Staff Academy in 2005.

In 1986-1995, he occupied commanding positions in Russia’s Aerospace Force and Border Troops, taking part in military activities.

In 2002-2003, Babich served as Chechnya’s prime minister. He was a member of the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) for ten years before being appointed as presidential envoy to the Volga Federal District in 2011.