Putin Appoints Andrey Belousov as Russia's New Minister of Defense

Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Andrey Belousov as the new Minister of Defense, replacing Sergei Shoigu, according to the Kremlin's announcement on Sunday night.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Sergei Shoigu has been relieved of his duties as Minister of Defense by presidential decree. Additionally, he has been appointed as the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

Shoigu will serve as Putin's deputy in the Russian Federation's Military-Industrial Commission, according to Peskov.

Peskov stated that Nikolai Patrushev, the former Secretary of the Security Council, has been relieved of his duties and is expected to move to a new role.

Belousov previously served as first deputy prime minister.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Editor's P/S:

The unexpected appointment of Andrey Belousov as Russia's new Defense Minister has sparked a flurry of speculation and questions. Belousov's background in economic and financial affairs, rather than military experience, has raised concerns about his suitability for the role. Some analysts believe that his appointment signals a shift in the Kremlin's priorities, prioritizing economic stability and defense spending over military aggression.

The removal of Sergei Shoigu, a long-time ally of Putin, from the Defense Ministry is also significant. Shoigu's appointment as Secretary of the Security Council suggests that he will still play a key role in Russia's security apparatus, but his diminished influence in military affairs could potentially create power struggles within the Kremlin. It remains to be seen how these changes will impact Russia's military posture and foreign policy in the coming months.