Official announcements from the Russian government or credible news reports

Putin Appoints Shoigu as Security Council Secretary, Names Belousov New Defense Minister

May 12, 2024, 08:06 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made significant changes to his security team, dismissing Sergei Shoigu as the Minister of Defense and appointing him as the Secretary of the Russian Security Council, a position previously held by Nikolai Patrushev since 2008. Andrey Belousov, previously the First Deputy Prime Minister and a noted economist who also served as a longtime economic advisor, has been nominated to replace Shoigu as the Minister of Defense. These changes come amid ongoing challenges in the war in Ukraine, suggesting strategic shifts within the Russian government.