[Tee tiong huat]

Putin proposes firing Shoigu, appoints new defense minister

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on May 12 proposed firing Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and nominated Andrei Belousov to replace him, according to the Telegram channel of the Federation Council, the Russian parliament's upper house.

Putin appointed Shoigu as the secretary of Russia's security council, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Shoigu is replacing Nikolai Patrushev, who has been the council's secretary since 2008.

Shoigu has faced criticism from Russia's pro-war hawks for mishandling the war effort in Ukraine. However, it is not clear if his dismissal is a demotion since the position of the security council's secretary is considered to be among the most powerful in the country.

Meanwhile, Belousov is known as a supporter of boosting military spending and mobilizing Russia's economy for the war effort. Peskov said that Belousov's task is "to integrate the military-industrial complex into the country's economy."

Peskov also said that Putin had decided to appoint a civilian as defense minister since the "ministry should be open to innovation and progressive ideas."

Belousov was Russia's economy minister in 2012-2013, an aide to Putin in 2013-2020, and first deputy prime minister in 2020-2024.

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-...skyi-says/