May 12th 2024.
Vladimir Putin's recent decision to dismiss Sergei Shoigu, his longtime friend and ally, as defense minister has caused quite a stir. The 68-year-old Shoigu has been a part of the Russian government long before Putin assumed the presidency, making him the longest-serving minister in the country. Their close relationship has been well-known, making this sudden move raise many eyebrows.
Replacing Shoigu is Andrey Belousov, an economist with no background in military or security matters. This has been seen as a major snub to the man who was in charge of Putin's war against Ukraine. However, Shoigu has not been completely ousted from the government, as he will now be leading the Russian security council, taking over from Nikolai Patrushev, the former FSB chief and a vocal critic of the West. Patrushev, at 72 years old, will be given a new role in the coming days, although the details have yet to be confirmed.
Belousov's appointment as defense minister comes as a surprise, as he was previously acting premier for three weeks when Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin was infected with COVID-19 in 2020. It is hoped that Belousov, a trusted ally of Putin's, will be able to tackle corruption and bring about much-needed reforms in the stagnant defense ministry. However, his lack of experience in military strategy has raised doubts about how he will accomplish these goals.
This recent shake-up in Putin's cabinet has also seen other appointments, such as Dmitry Patrushev, the son of Nikolai Patrushev, becoming deputy premier alongside his current role as agriculture minister. Boris Kovalchuk will also be taking on the role of chairman of the Accounts Chamber. These changes are believed to be the largest cabinet shake-up in years.
Despite these changes, some key figures in Putin's regime remain in their positions, such as Sergey Naryshkin as director of the SVR Foreign Intelligence Service and Alexander Bortnikov as head of the FSB. Rumors of General Sergei Surovikin returning as chief of staff were denied, with Putin's spokesperson confirming that General Valery Gerasimov will continue in this role.
The Kremlin has emphasized that while Shoigu may no longer be defense minister, he will still play a crucial role in the ongoing war and will continue to fulfill some military functions. This reassurance has been given to ease any concerns about potential disruptions in the country's defense operations.
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