Everything we know about Russia's new PM Mikhail Mishustin, the hockey-playing former tax official who is a key part of Putin's plan to tighten his grip on power

Born in 1966, Mishustin studied systems engineering and holds two PhDs in economics. He is married with three sons.

Source: CNN, Foreign Policy

He previously held the position of tax minister for five years until 2004. Most recently he was the head of the Federal Tax Service from 2010 until being made prime minister.

Source: Bloomberg

In his most recent role he earned himself a reputation for being very skilled and efficient at his work. Mishustin worked to modernize Russia's previously corrupt and inefficient tax collection system.

Source: The Guardian, Foreign Policy

Mishustin reportedly also has a creative side. He is a pianist and songwriter, and has composed a song for famous Russian singer Grigory Leps.

Source: Guardian

Despite this praise for his work, some controversy has emerged over Mishustin's extraordinary wealth. The investigative site Proekt found that he had bought a house worth hundreds of millions of Russian rubles while working as a deputy tax minister.

Source: The Telegraph, The Guardian

According to Bloomberg, Mishustin developed a relationship with Putin over their shared love for hockey. He is a member of Putin's Night Hockey League and on the board of Russia's Ice Hockey Federation.

Source: Bloomberg

On Wednesday Russia's previous prime minister Dimitri Medvedev resigned hours after proposals for sweeping constitutional reform were made by Putin.

Business Insider's Sinéad Baker reported that Putin proposed changes that would weaken the powers of the presidency for future presidents, as he is expected to vacate the role in 2024, and strengthen the role of the country's parliament, where he might then move to.

Putin described the move as one that would enhance democracy, but experts believe the move was a calculated one that would only help him keep power over a country that he has led, in some form, since 1999.

Source: The Associated Press

Mishustin was put forward as his replacement by Putin and confirmed by the Parliament on Thursday.

Source: Reuters

After the announcement he told Russia's parliament the country must maintain inflation at 4% and preserve macroeconomic stability.

Source: Reuters

Mishustin is due to release details of who will form his cabinet in the coming days.

• Read more:
• Russia's entire cabinet resigned en masse in a plan that would help Putin keep power indefinitely. Here's everything we know.
• The Russian government is resigning as Putin proposes sweeping changes to the constitution that could extend his power after his presidency