Vladimir Putin has made changes within the Russian command. A reshuffle which concerns loved ones and whose timing raises questions.
In a surprise reshuffle, Vladimir Putin, just sworn in for a new term at the head of Russia, dismissed his defense minister. The two men know each other well, Sergei Shoigu, who has held this position since 2012, is considered close to the Russian president.
He was appointed to another key position: that of secretary of the Security Council. A position previously occupied by another loyalist of Vladimir Putin, Nikolai Patrushev, who is dismissed from his position, according to a Kremlin decree.
Since then, the timing of these changes has been questionable. First, they intervene in the middle of a corruption scandal within the Russian Ministry of Defense. And in the midst of the army’s offensive in Ukraine.
“Shoigu and Patrushev, at the same time, even though they are two of the four main leaders of the country. And this, without any real prior information, while a counter-offensive is underway in northern Ukraine, I find this really very impactful and surprising, but we will see in the coming days how this will unfold.“, explains Christopher Steele, former agent of MI6, the British intelligence services.
Also considered close to Vladimir Putin, Andreï Beloussov becomes the new Minister of Defense. An economist by training, who has no military background.
According to the Kremlin, the Defense Ministry must be open to economic competitiveness and innovative ideas.