In a significant reshuffle within the Russian government, President Vladimir Putin has appointed Andrey Belousov, a civilian economist and former first deputy prime minister, as the new head of the ministry of defense, replacing longtime minister Sergei Shoigu. This move indicates a shift towards integrating economic strategies with military operations, particularly as the conflict in Ukraine persists.
As per a CNN report, Belousov, noted for his economic acumen, is expected to focus on bolstering Russia's military capabilities through enhanced economic measures. Alexandra Prokopenko, a former adviser at Russia’s Central Bank, explained the rationale behind this appointment, saying, "Putin’s priority is war; war of attrition is won by economics. Belousov is in favor of stimulating demand from the budget, which means that military spending will at least not decrease but rather increase."
