On April 3, 2019, Russian President signed a decree appointing Aleksey Pavlovski as new Russian ambassador to Australia. From 2006 to 2011 he was the Deputy Director of the 4th CIS Department and Director from July 4, 2011 to April 2019.

His direct responsibilities included the coordination of work conducted by Russian “Embassies” in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region and holding consultative meetings with the “Ambassadors” of the occupied regions in terms of the Foreign Policy Coordination Mechanism. 

Since April 4, 2019, the Director of the Department is Denis Gonchar.