Putin's unexpected decision sees a longtime defense minister being replaced. Meanwhile, amidst ongoing conflict in northeast Ukraine, Russia asserts advancements in its position.

Putin's unexpected decision entails the replacement of a longstanding defense minister. Concurrently, amidst the ongoing conflict in northeast Ukraine, Russia asserts territorial gains.

Amid a government shakeup, Russian President Vladimir Putin has transferred his longtime associate Sergei Shoigu from the defense ministry to the influential Security Council of Russia.

The Kremlin announced that Russian economist Andrei Belousov is poised to become Russia’s latest defense minister, with Sergei Shoigu taking over Nikolai Patrushev's position on the Security Council, another key ally of President Putin. Patrushev will transition to a different role, according to Kremlin statements.

Shoigu had headed the defense ministry since 2012, going in to the role with no military experience, and oversaw Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Despite criticism of Russia's military leadership during the conflict, particularly from prominent Russian commentators like Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group, Putin has continued to support Shoigu. Prigozhin, who died in a plane crash last August, was a high-profile figure, and the Kremlin denied any involvement in his death.

Belousov's selection, previously serving as the economic development minister, is likely to stir speculation within military circles. This move aligns with Putin's efforts to bolster Russia's economy amid wartime conditions and escalating defense expenditures. Additionally, Russia's Defense Ministry reported further progress in the Kharkiv region following a recent offensive in northeastern Ukraine.

Source: CNBC