Official announcements from the Russian government or credible news reports.

Putin Replaces Shoigu with Belousov as Defense Minister, Appoints Shoigu to Security Council

May 12, 2024, 07:08 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has initiated a significant reshuffle in Russia's security leadership. Putin dismissed Sergei Shoigu, who served as Defense Minister for over 12 years, and appointed him as the new Secretary of the Russian Security Council, replacing Nikolai Patrushev who held the position since 2008. Andrei Belousov, previously the First Deputy Prime Minister and a prominent economist, has been proposed as the new Defense Minister. This reshuffle comes amid ongoing challenges in the Ukraine conflict, suggesting potential strategic shifts in Russian military and security policy.