Vladimir Putin set to transfer Sergei Shoigu from Russian defence ministry
The Kremlin has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to replace his long-time ally Sergei Shoigu as defense minister. Shoigu, who has held the position since 2012, is slated to become the secretary of Russia’s Security Council.
According to documents from the upper chamber of the Russian parliament, Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov will take over Shoigu’s role.
Sergei Shoigu has been a key figure in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine. Papers from the Russian government indicate that Putin intends for Shoigu to succeed Nikolai Patrushev on the influential Security Council, although Patrushev’s new position remains unclear.
Despite lacking a military background, Shoigu has maintained a close relationship with President Putin, often accompanying him on fishing trips in Siberia. His appointment to the defense portfolio drew criticism from some military officials due to his civil engineering background.
Shoigu faced challenges during his tenure as defense minister, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In 2023, he became embroiled in a public dispute with Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, over Russia’s conduct in the conflict.
Prigozhin’s accusations against Shoigu circulated widely before his death in a plane crash.
The proposed replacement, Andrei Belousov, is an economist with limited military experience, which may surprise some observers. However, analysts suggest that Putin’s decision reflects a desire to integrate the Russian economy more closely with military efforts.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that appointing a civilian to the role of defense minister emphasizes the need for innovation in the position.
He said Russia was becoming more like the Soviet Union in the mid-1980s, when a high proportion of GDP went on military spending.
As a result, it was necessary to make sure that military expenditure was better integrated into Russia’s overall economy, he added.
“The one who is more open to innovations is the one who will be victorious on the battlefield,” he said.
Andrei Belousov is a civilian economist and becomes Russia’s new defence minister
BBC Russia editor Steve Rosenberg said the replacement of Mr Shoigu did not come as a surprise, since his position had become weaker and there had been talk for some time that he could lose his job.
Russia’s campaign in Ukraine has been plagued by military setbacks and big losses in men and materiel.
Having an economist as defence minister reflects the changing priorities of the Kremlin, Steve Rosenberg says. The Russian economy is on a war footing now, so it is vital that the defence ministry has enough money to fund the war.
According to unnamed government officials quoted by independent Russian website The Bell, Mr Belousov is seen as a “hard-line defender of the state, who believes that Russia is encircled by enemies”.
Like President Putin, he is close to the Russian Orthodox Church. He is said to be a martial arts enthusiast – as is President Putin – who practised karate and the Russian combat sport sambo in his youth.
Before becoming deputy prime minister, he worked for several years as an aide to Mr Putin. Before that, he was economic development minister.
He was reportedly the only member of the president’s economic entourage to support the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Mr Putin was sworn in as president for a fifth time on Tuesday after winning Russia’s recent election with 87% of the vote and without facing any credible opponents. He has led Russia since May 2000.
Among cabinet members to keep their positions is veteran Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
