A top Kremlin official is set to be approved this week as a candidate to the board of Aeroflot, the Russian national airline. It is the latest sign of the state's strengthening grip on important companies.

Viktor Ivanov, a deputy head of the Kremlin and a former senior member of the FSB security police, is likely to head a list of candidates of new Aeroflot directors endorsed by the current board. The move could pave the way for his nomination as chairman at a meeting in October.