Moscow, Russia – Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a cabinet reshuffle that includes the removal of Sergei Shoigu as defense minister. Shoigu will transition to the role of secretary of the Security Council, while Andrei Belousov, a former deputy prime minister specializing in economics, is set to take over as the new defense minister.
This shake-up comes as Putin enters his fifth term in office, following the resignation of the entire cabinet after his recent inauguration at the Kremlin. Belousov’s appointment as defense minister is subject to approval by Russia’s Federation Council, the upper house of parliament.
Shoigu, who has served as defense minister since 2012, saw one of his deputies, Timur Ivanov, arrested on bribery charges last month. This arrest was seen as a possible precursor to Shoigu’s dismissal, despite his close relationship with Putin.
The decision to appoint a civilian as defense minister was made to bring innovation and new ideas to the ministry, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Belousov was chosen for his suitability for the role.
In the midst of this cabinet reshuffle, thousands of civilians have been fleeing Russia’s renewed ground offensive in northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region. The battles have led to the seizure of territory by Russian forces, with intense artillery and mortar shelling targeting towns and villages.
One Ukrainian unit has been forced to withdraw as Russian forces advance into less defended settlements along the Russian border. The town of Vovchansk, with a pre-war population of 17,000, has become a focal point in the ongoing conflict.
Putin’s recent election victory, amidst controversy over democratic legitimacy, has set the stage for these political and military developments. The situation in Ukraine remains volatile as civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict.