Putin reshuffles top military and security positions amid innovation push
Vladimir Putin has proposed appointing Andrey Belousov as the Minister of Defense. He is set to replace Sergei Shoigu. The official Telegram channel of the Russian Federation Council announced the changes.
"The Federation Council has received the list of candidates proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin for the positions of heads of a number of federal ministries and agencies," – reported the official channel of the Federation Council.
For the position of Minister of National Defense, Vladimir Putin proposed Andrey Belousov. He is to replace the current head of the defense department, Sergei Shoigu.
According to the Kremlin, Putin wants the Ministry of Defense to be fully open to innovation and new ideas, which is why Belousov was chosen.
Belousov was the first vice-premier in Mikhail Mishustin's previous government and acted as Prime Minister for some time. He was also an economic advisor to Putin for many years.
Sergei Shoigu will be moved to Secretary of the Security Council, replacing Nikolai Patrushev.
The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that as the Secretary of the Security Council, Sergei Shoigu will also be Putin's deputy in the Russian Military-Industrial Commission.
There will be no change in the Minister of Foreign Affairs position. Sergei Lavrov will retain the role.
Vladimir Kolokoltsev will be the Minister of Internal Affairs, and Aleksander Kurenkov will hold the office of Minister of Civil Defense and Emergency Situations. Putin has appointed Konstantin Chuychenko as the Minister of Justice. Sergei Naryshkin will head the Foreign Intelligence Service, and Aleksander Bortnikov will lead the Federal Security Service. Boris Kovalchuk will be the Chairman of the Accounts Chamber.
The proposed changes in the government relate to Vladimir Putin's recent inauguration as President. On May 10th, Putin appointed Mikhail Mishustin as Prime Minister.
The Federation Council will now consider the ministerial nominations at sessions on May 13th and 14th.
Many reports from Russian media or representatives of the authorities are elements of propaganda. These reports are part of the information war conducted by the Russian Federation.
