What's behind Putin's replacement of defense minister Shoigu? | DW News

Russian President Vladimir Putin replaced Sergei Shoigu as defense minister in the first reshuffle of the national security team since the invasion of Ukraine. Shoigu's designated replacement is economist and former deputy prime minister Andrei Belousov.

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[themissingpeace]

They put an economist as defense minister so he can check minutely where the military funding goes.

[MrBendylaw]

Shoigu: "So...why are you here?"
Girkin: (suppresses a laugh) "Same reason as you, Sergei."

[eudaenomic]

When Shoigu was asked if he would fly to St Petersburg to check on staff there he stated there was absolutely, positively and unconditionally no reason to fly or leave Moscow.

[Flaps]

So he demoted him by promoting him and replaced him with an accountant.

[arselenebitara]

Prigoshin: Shoiguuu!! See you soon! 🤣🤣🤣

[Sarah-prsm]

Shoigu was caught with his hands in the cookie jar along with the other fella.

[ilia]

Shoigu is now part of security council where he is needed while also getting more time off he wanted for years and the economist is now a defense minister because they need to optimize financially. Shoigu was already spending most of his time negotiating with contractors and setting up supply chains. So this seems like a normal move.

[mxr]

so far he is lucky for not falling out of a high story window.

[markfletcher]

Shoigu may want to avoid windows and private planes.

[netiturtle]

Removal of Patrushev is much more interesting than shuffling Shoigu. He has KGB background with presumably strong ties there still, head of the soliviki, and it was KGB(FSB) that arrested Shoigu's deputy. And yet, he is now jobless

[AcuteTomato]

Spin. It had been widely reported that Shoigu wanted to retire.

[mrb.]

Guess Putin's windows need cleaning from the outside.


Good luck with that one, comrade.

[josea.bonannoumpierreceng.]

Rubbish, Shoigu wanted to retire on the past elections, and Putin ask him to stay. That’s on record. Don’t you think that this should be included in your “objective “ report...

[philippeengammare]

Shoigu should avoid planes, balconies, stairs, cook himself, wash himself his underwears, check himself the brakes if his car etc.

[cacwgm]

It's likely this is more about arms production than battlefield performance. The role is more of a ministerial than military command role (despite the uniform).

Bear in mind that Shoigu was an engineer, urban planner, and then disaster relief / internal security head, so not really from a military background. He hasn't been visible (and likely not very involved) for perhaps a year. Keeping the role on paper has been his reward for loyalty.

It's likely this is more about arms production than battlefield performance. Belousov's task will almost certainly be to actually put Russia's economy on a war footing.

[revolutionarydefeatism]

Ministery of Shovels, while advancing against HIMARS and ATACMS.

[telluwide]

Shoigu looted the defense ministry long enough, Putin had to give another buddy a chance to get their share....

[imac]

He will either slip away into retirement or disappear altogether.

[lorenzcassidy]

So basically from now on no planes, no high storey buildings and strictly no tea for ole Sergei. 😅

[Vandelberger]

Meanwhile a burnt pile of airplane metal and human ash stirs in anger.