Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a significant shake-up in his government, removing Sergei Shoigu as Defence Minister after over a decade in the role. Apexnewsgh reports
Shoigu, a close ally of Putin’s, will be appointed Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, replacing Nikolai Patrushev, whose new post remains unclear.
Shoigu’s replacement as Defence Minister is Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov, an economist with little military experience. The move is seen as a surprise by some, but analysts believe it indicates Putin’s desire to align the Russian economy more closely with the war effort.
Shoigu, a civil engineer by profession, rose to prominence as head of the emergencies and disaster relief ministry in the 1990s. Despite having no military background, he was appointed Defence Minister in 2012, a move that rankled some top brass. His tenure was marked by controversy, including a public feud with Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin over Russia’s conduct of the war in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the appointment of a civilian Defence Minister shows the need for “innovation” in the role, citing the increasing proportion of GDP spent on military expenditure, similar to the Soviet Union in the mid-1980s. Belousov’s appointment is seen as a move to integrate military spending into Russia’s overall economy.
The shake-up comes as Russia’s war with Ukraine rages on, with Putin seeking to reinvigorate his government’s approach to the conflict. Despite Shoigu’s close links with Putin, his removal as Defence Minister indicates the President’s desire for change in the midst of a challenging and costly war.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
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