Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday proposed replacing Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu with former Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov, according to an official post from the Federation Council, the upper house of Russia’s parliament, on Sunday. Telegram.
Shoigu appointed to lead Kremlin security council, Russian state media reportedciting spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The announcement comes days after Putin began his fifth term as president.
The move also comes as Russia launches a new major offensive on Friday in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, forcing Ukrainian troops to reposition and defend against a new front. Russia continues to exert intense pressure on Ukrainian forces on the front line, making critical advances in the Donetsk region after a months-long delay in new U.S. military aid to Kiev.
Shoigu’s transfer comes after his deputy, Timur Ivanov, was arrested and is under investigation for accepting a large bribe, according to Russian state media.
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