![Putin to replace Defense Minister Shoigu in reorganization 1 Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is driven along Red Square in an Aurus car during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2024, marking the 79th anniversary of the end of World War II.](https://img.lemde.fr/2024/05/12/0/0/4390/2927/664/0/75/0/2849d83_7f5d09936d5a42609b506cdd123ae5f8-0-733d7909483345f8a36672c0010a3dd4.jpg)
In a surprising move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has replaced Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu more than two years into the Ukraine offensive. Andrey Belousov, an economist, has been proposed as Shoigu’s replacement in a major shake-up of Russia’s military leadership.
This change comes at a critical time as Russian troops continue to advance in eastern Ukraine and launch a major ground operation in the northeastern Kharkiv region. Despite initial setbacks, Putin had supported Shoigu until now, even when faced with calls for his removal.
The Kremlin stated that the defense ministry needed to focus on innovation, leading to Belousov’s candidacy. Belousov, with no military background, has been a trusted economic adviser to Putin for the past decade.
Siberian retreats
Shoigu, a long-time political figure, has been appointed as the new secretary of the Security Council. This shake-up in Russia’s military leadership has not only implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine but also raises questions about the future direction of Russia’s defense strategy.
Overall, this sudden change in military leadership underscores the evolving dynamics of Russian politics and the strategic decisions being made at a crucial juncture in the conflict with Ukraine.