MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Saturday, a source in the Kremlin confirmed to RIA Novosti previous media reports on the Astakhov's resignation after a number of compromising statements, including the most recent one, when the ombudsman said "So, how was your swim?" addressing a survivor of the deadly incident on a lake in the Russian northwestern Karelia region.
"Currently, Pavel Astakhov is on vacation… I can confirm that after the return from vacation, he will leave this post. The president will sign a decree then," Peskov told reporters.
The spokesman added that Astakhov filed for resignation. Peskov said it was too early to say who would take the post.
On June 18, several boats carrying a 51-member group from a Karelia summer camp capsized on the region's lake Syamozero during a storm. As many as 14 children died.