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Vladimir Putin has replaced two of his longest-serving security officials in a surprise reshuffle, suggesting the Russian President is unhappy with his handling of the two-year invasion of Ukraine.
Putin, who was sworn in for a fifth term earlier this week, extending his quarter-century rule until at least 2030, has named Sergei Shoigu defense minister since 2012, became head of Russia’s security council on Sunday, according to the newspaper. upper house of parliament.
Andrei Belousov, Putin’s deputy prime minister and longtime economic adviser, will replace Shoigu.
Nikolai Patrushev, a former spy hawk and one of Putin’s closest aides who has led the security council since 2008, will take on an unspecified new position.
Putin’s appointment marks the biggest change in his security team in a decade and a half, even as his forces countinues forward against Ukraine’s undermanned and underarmed army.
The Kremlin sees Shoigu’s move as part of efforts to rein in Russia’s excessive defense spending. Following Putin’s order to supply the armed forces fighting in Ukraine, this was set for the current year at a record Rbs 10.8 trillion ($118.5 billion).
Shoigu was previously considered an almost untouchable figure thanks to his closeness to Putin – with whom he has holidayed several times in Tuva, his hometown in Siberia – and for his success in overcoming the challenge. wake from the mutiny of mercenary leader Yevgeny. Prigozhin last year.
Yet even as Russia has gained the upper hand in Ukraine in recent months, Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the general staff, have continued to arouse widespread anger among the war’s supporters over multiple failures. on the battlefield of the army.
Russian security services have arrested Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov. corruption allegations late last montha move seen as showing that Putin wanted to weaken Shoigu.
Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, told reporters that the Kremlin wanted to appoint an economic official to run the Defense Ministry after Russia’s security budget jumped to 6.6% of gross national product. paternal.
“This is not an important number today, but due to the well-known geopolitical circumstances around us, we are gradually getting closer to the situation in the mid-1980s when the proportion of spending on security just 4%,” Peskov said. speak.
“This requires special attention,” Peskov added. “It is very important to put the security economy in line with the country’s economy so that it meets the dynamics of the moment.”
“The important thing to point out is, on the battlefield, who is more open to innovation [ . . . ] win. At this stage, the president has decided that a civilian will run the Department of Defense.”
Peskov said Belousov’s tenure as economic adviser to Putin, minister of economic development and first deputy prime minister, was relevant experience for a defense ministry that needs to be “open to innovation , implementing cutting-edge ideas and facilitating economic competition.” ”.
He said Belousov’s appointment would not affect the work of Gerasimov, Russia’s top commander in Ukraine.
He did not explain why Patrushev was replaced, telling reporters: Patrushev “continues to work and in the next few days we will tell you the location.”
Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment who studies the Russian military, said the change shows “it is clear that the Russian economic elite has performed much better than the military elite.” in this war”.
Belousov’s appointment means Gerasimov will eventually be replaced, Kofman said.
“Shoigu is incompetent but loyal. The same can be said about Gerasimov. Previously, the chiefs of general staff were replaced by defense ministers. Although Peskov has said that Gerasimov will stay, Belousov will probably want his people there.”
