May 9, 2024. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS
Russian President Vladimir Putin has put forward a surprise nominee for the position of defense minister, proposing civilian Andrei Belousov, a former deputy prime minister with expertise in economics, for the role amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict, according to a statement from the Kremlin.
Putin intends for Sergei Shoigu, who has served as defense minister since 2012 and is a longstanding ally, to assume the position of secretary of Russia’s influential Security Council. In this new capacity, Shoigu would succeed Nikolai Patrushev and additionally oversee responsibilities related to the military-industrial complex, as announced by the Kremlin on Sunday. These proposed changes, anticipated to receive parliamentary approval, mark the most significant alterations to Russia’s military leadership since the deployment of tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022 under the banner of a “special military operation.”
The reshuffle positions Shoigu in a role technically considered senior to his current post, ensuring continuity and preserving his standing. Valery Gerasimov, the head of Russia’s General Staff and a figure with substantial involvement in directing the conflict, is slated to retain his position. Similarly, Sergei Lavrov, the long-serving foreign minister, is set to continue in his role, according to the Kremlin’s announcement.
The selection of Belousov, a civilian official renowned for his economic policymaking rather than military expertise, represents a notable departure from conventional appointments. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, justified the decision by likening Russia’s current situation to that of the mid-1980s Soviet Union, where military and law enforcement expenditures accounted for a significant portion of state spending. Peskov emphasized the importance of aligning such expenditures with the nation’s broader interests, citing Putin’s desire for a defense minister with a background in economics.
Peskov also suggested that Putin’s decision reflects an effort to subject defense spending to heightened scrutiny, aiming to ensure efficient utilization of funds. This move follows allegations against a deputy defense minister allied with Shoigu, who was accused by state prosecutors of bribery.
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