• Russian President Vladimir Putin has replaced long-serving Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu with Andrey Belousov, the current deputy prime minister, as the new defense minister in a surprising reshuffle.
  • The reshuffle was announced on Telegram by the Federation Council and is expected to be approved by Russian parliamentarians. Consultations regarding the appointment of security agency leaders, including the Defense Ministry, began on May 13th.
  • Sergei Shoigu, who has been Defense Minister since 2012, is also becoming vice-chairman of the commission on the military-industrial complex, with his future role to be announced soon.
  • Some reports suggest Shoigu was offered the position of Secretary of the Security Council of Russia, while Valery Gerasimov maintains his position as field commander.
  • Belousov’s task is to make the Defense Ministry more open to innovation and economically competitive, according to Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov. Belousov has a background as a scientist-economist and has held various government positions.
  • The changes are seen as a step towards stronger control over war-related expenses and the Russian military-industrial complex, with Belousov being described as a “minister for war economy.”
  • Belousov’s candidacy as Defense Minister needs approval from Russia’s upper house of parliament, and other Cabinet positions are also being proposed by Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
  • Belousov’s appointment has raised doubts within the Russian military about his suitability for the role due to his lack of military experience, but his financial background may help in major defense economy reforms to rebuild post-war forces.
  • The dismissal of Shoigu took place during a surprising reshuffle after Putin’s fifth term inauguration and over two years of conflict in Ukraine, which is seen by Western media as dissatisfaction with the handling of the war by Russia’s security chiefs.
  • Appointing an economist to lead Russia’s defense ministry may indicate Putin’s aim to align the country’s economy with Russia’s military expenses, particularly in the ongoing Ukrainian war.
  • Belousov, known for his defense of increased innovation in Russian management, held a key role in supervising Russia’s unmanned aerial vehicle programs.
  • Russian military expert Igor Korotchenko called Belousov a patriot with vast practical experience, and noted that his appointment as defense minister is undoubtedly due to personal trust from the president. He also stated that Belousov’s appointment will bring many advantages to the defense department amidst global confrontation between Russia and the West, and he will be able to implement necessary innovations to achieve victory in the “special military operation.”
  • Ukrainian economist Alexei Kush called the changes in the Russian defense department, including Belousov’s appointment, bad news.

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