Putin Swaps Out Longtime Ally for Civilian Economist as Defense Minister

In a surprise shake-up to his cabinet, Vladimir Putin has sacked his defense minister Sergei Shoigu in favor of a civilian economist with no military experience, according to the Kremlin.

The 68-year-old Shoigu was “relieved” of the position he has held since 2012 on Sunday, moved over to become secretary of Russia’s Security Council. He will also oversee Russia’s Military-Industrial Commission, a Kremlin spokesperson said.

In his stead, Putin has appointed Andrei Belousov, a 65-year-old former deputy prime minister whose impressive resume as an economic adviser seems to be a signal the president is looking to reassess spending as Russia’s war against Ukraine drags on.

Read more at The Daily Beast.