Putin dismisses Sergei Shoigu, proposes Andrei Belousov for his position

(Patria) - Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he will replace long-time ally Sergei Shoigu as Minister of Defense.

The Kremlin announced that Shoigu (66) will be replaced by former First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov (65), a little-known politician specializing in economic issues.

Shoigu, who has been Minister of Defense since 2012 and led the Russian army through its invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022, has been appointed head of Russia's Security Council, which advises the president on national security issues.

The Kremlin announced that, as part of Shoigu's duties in the Security Council, the former defense chief will advise on issues including military-industrial matters.

Shoigu will replace Nikolai Patrushev as chairman of the Security Council.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Patrushev's next position would be announced in the coming days.

The upper house of the Russian parliament, the Federation Council, which also announced changes, said Putin proposed reappointing Sergei Lavrov as Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs.

These appointments must be approved by the Federation Council, which announced that "senators will hold consultations on the candidates proposed by the president at committee meetings on May 13 and at a session of the Federation Council on May 14".