putin-appoints-new-defence-minister-amidst-ukraine-conflict

In a recent move by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Andrey Belousov has been appointed as the new Defence Minister, replacing Sergei Shoigu, as reported, citing a Kremlin statement on Sunday night. 

 

Shoigu, in turn, has been appointed as Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and will also serve as Putin's deputy in the Military-Industrial Commission of the Russian Federation.

 

This transition comes amid Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine, which entered its third year in February. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced Shoigu's departure from the post of Defence Minister and his new appointments, noting that Nikolai Patrushev, the previous Secretary of the Security Council, will be transferred to another role.

 

Peskov explained that Belousov's appointment is aimed at integrating the security bloc's economy into the country's economy, particularly with the military department's budget approaching levels seen in the 1980s. Belousov, who has previously served as Russia's first deputy Prime Minister, brings a wealth of experience to his new role.

 

The 65-year-old Belousov has held various positions in the Russian government, including assistant to President Putin on economic issues, Minister of Economic Development, and Director of the Department of Economics and Finance. He has also worked at the Russian Academy of Sciences.

 

Despite these changes, the heads of other security ministries and services, as well as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, will retain their positions in the government.

 

Additionally, President Putin has proposed appointing Boris Kovalchuk as the chairman of the Accounts Chamber, a position that has been vacant for 1.5 years, according to TASS.

 

Meanwhile, Ukraine has also witnessed changes in its defence leadership, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy replacing the Defence Minister and Army Chief earlier.

 

These developments come at a time when Russia has made recent gains on the battlefield, intensifying the situation in the region.

 

As tensions persist and the conflict evolves, both Russia and Ukraine continue to navigate the complex dynamics of their military engagements and the broader geopolitical landscape.