Vladimir Putin has removed his longtime ally Sergei Shoigu as Russia's defence minister in the most significant reshuffle to the military command since the invasion of Ukraine began. Andrei Belousov, a former deputy prime minister specialising in economics, will replace him.
Shoigu, Russia's longest-serving minister, will become head of the powerful security council, currently led by Nikolai Patrushev. The Kremlin said Putin decided to appoint Belousov, a civilian, to ensure the ministry is open to innovations and to align the security economy with the national economy amid vastly increased war spending.
Belousov, 65, graduated from Moscow State University in economics and has held various senior roles, including economics minister and presidential adviser. He has no military service but practised sambo and karate in his youth.
Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff, remains in post. Shoigu faced criticism over military setbacks in Ukraine and corruption in the army, and his deputy Timur Ivanov was arrested last month on corruption charges.
