Putin’s Relatives Take Over, Shoigu’s Allies Ousted

The Russian Defense Ministry underwent significant personnel changes as President Vladimir Putin dismissed four long-time deputies of former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on June 17. According to the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW), these shifts indicate Putin’s strategy to strengthen his power base.

Ruslan Tsalikov, Shoigu’s closest ally, was among those dismissed, marking the final exit of Shoigu’s team. New appointments include Leonid Gornin as the main deputy to Defense Minister Belousov and Pavel Fradkov overseeing property management and military construction.

Anna Tsivileva, widely known as Putin’s niece, was appointed to address social and housing issues. Her background includes leading a veterans support fund and acquiring a stake in a coal mining company. Her husband, Sergey Tsivilev, is now Minister of Energy.

These changes follow Belousov’s appointment as the new defense minister in May, replacing Shoigu amidst investigations targeting high-ranking military officials. ISW notes Putin’s grooming of potential successors from his family and Kremlin elites, along with the focus on economists in defense positions.