
In a major reshuffle of his cabinet, President Vladimir Putin is set to relieve Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s defence minister of 12 years, of his post and appoint him as secretary of the Security Council, a position previously held by Nikolai Patrushev since 2008.
The move has prompted speculation among Kremlin watchers, intrigued by what could have led to the surprise move, and what it means for Shoigu, Patrushev and Andrei Belousov, the deputy prime minister and economist set to become Russia’s new defence minister.