In a surprise reshuffle, Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided to move Sergei Shoigu out of the Defense Ministry. Russia has claimed its forces have taken four villages in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu as the head of the national security council, the Kremlin announced.
The body is made up of senior Russian officials that advise Putin.
Shoigu replaced former secretary Nikolai Patrushev.
Putin has nominated civilian Andrei Belousov to replace Shoigu as defense minister.
The Kremlin said that Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will remain in their posts.
The reshuffle comes as Putin begins his fifth term, while the war in Ukraine continues into its third year.
Belousov has served as deputy prime minister and has been one of Putin’s most influential economic advisors over the last decade.
“Today, the winner on the battlefield is the one who is more open to innovation and its implementation,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
Peskov told reporters that it was vital to ensure defense spending was aligned with Russia’s overall interests.
He added that Shoigu will contain to be involved in defense policy in his role at the security council.
“Shoigu will continue to work in [defense], which he knows well.”
Source: Dw
