Russian President Vladimir Putin has removed his long-standing ally Sergei Shoigu as defence minister amid the ongoing war with Ukraine.
The Kremlin announced that the 68-year-old Shoigu, who had been in the role since 2012, would be appointed secretary of Russia’s Security Council.
According to papers published by the upper chamber of the Russian parliament, Shoigu will be replaced by Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov, as the Kremlin stressed the need for the defense ministry to remain “innovative.”
Reports revealed that Putin wants Shoigu to take over from Nikolai Patrushev on the powerful Security Council, although it is not yet clear what Patrushev’s new post will be.
Shoigu, who has close ties with President Putin and often accompanied him on fishing trips in his native Siberia, was appointed defense minister despite having no military background. However, his handling of the defense portfolio, especially after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago, has been criticized.
BBC Europe analyst Danny Aeberhard noted that Shoigu often appeared out of his depth as defense minister.
In 2023, Shoigu was involved in a public feud with Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin over Russia’s conduct of the war. Prigozhin accused Shoigu of being a “dirtbag” and “elderly clown” in audio messages that went viral. Prigozhin died in a plane crash while flying from St Petersburg to Moscow in August 2023. The Kremlin denied any involvement.
Shoigu’s replacement, Belousov, is an economist with little military experience, surprising some. However, other analysts view the move as an indication that President Putin aims to align the Russian economy more closely with the war effort.
Kremlin press spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the proposed appointment of a civilian reflects the need for “innovation” in the role of defense minister. He emphasized that Russia was increasing military expenditure and needed to integrate it better into the overall economy.
“The one who is more open to innovations is the one who will be victorious on the battlefield,” Peskov said.
Andrei Belousov, a civilian economist, has been appointed as Russia’s new defense minister.
