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| Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia (left), alongside Sergei Shoigu. |
Russian President Vladimir Putin has removed his long-standing ally Sergei Shoigu as defence minister, the Kremlin has announced.
The 68-year-old has been in the role since 2012 and is to be appointed secretary of Russia's Security Council.
Papers published by the upper chamber of the Russian parliament said Mr Shoigu will be replaced by Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov.
The Kremlin said the defence ministry needed to stay "innovative".
Russian government papers show Mr Putin wants Mr Shoigu to take over from Nikolai Patrushev on the powerful security council. It is not yet clear what Mr Patrushev's new post will be.
Mr. Shoigu shares a strong bond with President Putin, frequently accompanying him on fishing excursions in his homeland of Siberia. Despite lacking a military background, he was appointed to the defense portfolio, a decision that unsettled some senior military figures. Originally trained as a civil engineer, Shoigu gained prominence as the leader of the emergencies and disaster relief ministry during the 1990s. However, his tenure as defense minister has been marked by moments where he appeared ill-suited for the role, particularly follow
In less turbulent times, Vladimir Putin and Sergei Shoigu would often embark on fishing trips together.
ing Russia's extensive incursion into Ukraine over two years ago, according to BBC Europe analyst Danny Aeberhard.
In 2023, Mr. Shoigu found himself entangled in a public dispute with Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Wagner mercenary group, over Russia's handling of the conflict. Prigozhin, who led a brief rebellion against Moscow, publicly denounced Mr. Shoigu, labeling him a "scoundrel" and "senile clown" in widely circulated audio recordings. Tragically, Prigozhin perished in a plane crash while en route from St. Petersburg to Moscow in August 2023. Despite speculation, the Kremlin denied any involvement in the incident. Mr. Shoigu's proposed successor, Mr. Belousov, lacks significant military experience, a surprising choice for many. However, some analysts interpret this move as President Putin's effort to closely align the Russian economy with wartime endeavors. BBC Russia editor Steve Rosenberg noted that Mr. Shoigu's replacement was anticipated, given his declining influence and ongoing rumors about his potential dismissal. Russia's operations in Ukraine have been marred by military setbacks and substantial human and material losses. Recently, a high-ranking deputy defense minister, Timur Ivanov, was arrested on bribery charges, a rare occurrence at his level. Ivanov, perceived as an ally of Shoigu, had collaborated with him for numerous years. The appointment of an economist as the new defense minister reflects the Kremlin's shifting priorities. With the Russian economy geared towards war, adequate funding for military endeavors is deemed crucial. According to sources cited by the independent Russian website The Bell, Mr. Belousov is viewed as a staunch defender of the state, advocating the belief that Russia faces encirclement by adversaries. Like President Putin, he maintains close ties with the Russian Orthodox Church and is reputedly proficient in martial arts, having practiced karate and sambo in his youth. Before assuming the role of deputy prime minister, he served as an aide to Putin and previously held the position of economic development minister. Reportedly, he was the sole member of the president's economic circle to endorse the annexation of Crimea in 2014. President Putin, re-elected with 87% of the vote in Russia's recent election without facing credible challengers, commenced his fifth presidential term on Tuesday. Notably, veteran Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov retained his position in the cabinet.
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