Putin removes defense minister Shoigu | DW News

More than two years after the start of the war of aggression against Ukraine, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has not reappointed his close confidant Sergei Shoigu as defense minister. Shoigu's successor will be the current deputy head of government Andrei Belousov, Russian news agencies report with reference to a message from the Federation Council. Putin's proposals for the composition of the new Russian government were received there. No official reason was given for the reshuffle.

However, there had been some speculation about the possible dismissal of 68-year-old Shoigu, who has been defense minister since 2012. A few weeks ago, one of Shoigu's deputies, Timur Ivanov, was arrested on corruption charges. Observers had interpreted this as a sign of power struggles within the Russian military and security apparatus.

Shoigu is reportedly set to become secretary of the Security Council, a powerful post previously held by hardliner Nikolai Patrushev.

Shoigu's 65-year-old successor, Belousov, was Putin's economic adviser for many years and has held various positions in the government in recent years.

#sergeishoigu #vladimirputin #russiaukrainewar

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[mchk]

this "non-binary person" is a top notch russian military and political expert lol

[WS-zdjz]

He got a new office up on one of the higher floors, it has great windows.

[THEPete_]

Shoigu with all those medals, but never entered a battle in his life 😂

[stewartorr]

ring in the lip lost my credibility score sorry

[vaskodimoski]

Asking a Latvian Lesbian is so funny wtf

[oliverwilliam]

So now you bring LGBT people as experts on war lol

[ghtwghtw]

Even a promotion is painted as a dark moment. Jeez.

[jasonm]

The lip ring is distracting and unprofessional. Find someone better to interview

[Jobis]

Let me get it straight is DW trying to make a promotion look bad ? 😂

[masterlightjames]

It's not a removal. It's a promotion.

[md.majedulhaquerafin]

Shoigu is now Security Council secretary. It is not a demotion, it is a promotion. 😅

[marygem]

Shoigu won't have anything to steal from the council.

[trevorsutherland]

Wow. Shoigu really has managed the logistics of RU war machine well the last two years.

[imac]

None of them have any military experience.

[sihletngcobo]

It’s not much of a shake up if he is being promoted to a higher defense role

[bigcrazau]

The correspondent needs to remove that distracting lip piercing..

[MMAX-dbcv]

This woman (?) isn't in Russia and doesn't know anything else that everyone can read in old news. 👎

[patrickgz]

when election is over, ministers resign and vacate ministry. some will be reassigned, some will retire, some will be rid of, some new faces will be assigned, new ministries will be formed or ministry will be stopped. this is part and parcel of democracy for those who are familiar.

[Aaron]

Head of security council is second to president in power, ma man just keep raising in ranks 👏 well done Shougi

[georgeageorgopoulos]

Big Promotion for Mr Shoigu, , , Nato now in trouble ;)), , , Bravo Mr Putin!