Kremlin Cabinet Reshuffle: Shoigu Promoted

On Monday the 13th of May, the Kremlin announced the reshuffling of the cabinet where several key Kremlin Ministers were promoted and demoted. Sergei Shoigu was the Russian Defence Minister between 2012 and 2024 when he was replaced by Andrei Belousov. 

Sergei Shoigu oversaw the Ukraine Invasion and has now been moved, by President Putin, to a Secretary of the Russian Security Council. The UK equivalent is the National Security Council, which advises the Prime Minister regarding issues of National Security. 

Sergei Shoigu at a Victory Day Celebration. Image belongs to Copyright Holder. Image from – Egor Aleev/AFP

Nikolai Patrushev was replaced by Sergei Shoigu. Patrushev has been demoted to a Kremlin aide, but despite many Western Mainstream Media sources claiming the “sacking of Shoigu and Patrushev”, they still have an important role in the decision-making in the Kremlin. Sergei Shoigu got a promotion and still maintains unhindered access to President Putin. 

Nikolai Patrushev’s son, Dmitry, was promoted to Deputy Prime Minister for Agriculture. 

Andrei Belousov is the new Defence Minister of the Russian Federation. Before Belousov was appointed Defence Minister, he served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia. Belousov is an economist and it is expected his primary role as Defence Minister is to optimise Russia’s Defence budget, military economy, and military hardware production and make the military more efficient.  

Image belongs to Copyright Holder. Image from – Sergei Bobylev / TASS

Despite his lack of prior experience in a military role, his economic knowledge and aptitude for efficiency are what is sought after by Putin. Somebody who lacks military experience and is not slowed down by traditional military systems. 

Russia has launched a new offensive in the Kharkiv Oblast in Eastern Ukraine. Kharkiv is the second largest city in Ukraine, after Kyiv, and has been under Ukrainian control since May 2022. Due to Ukraine’s shortage of soldiers, this offensive seeks to further disperse Ukrainian forces along the front line. If Ukraine does not supply the north with enough soldiers, then Kharkiv Oblast would fall. 

Image belongs to Copyright holder. Image from – General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Ukrainian military command is now facing a dilemma, on where to send their resources. American military aid is still yet to reach the front line, giving a brief but significant window of opportunity.  


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All Images belong to Copyright Holders.

Cover Image – Sergei Bobylev / TASS