Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree appointing Sergei Shoigu, who has been the Minister of Defense since 2012, as the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. Vladimir Putin proposed to appoint a civilian, Andrey Belousov, who previously held the post of First Deputy Prime Minister, as the Minister of Defense.
And Nikolay Patrushev, who has been the Secretary of the Security Council for 16 years, will move to another job. The Kremlin promised to announce in the coming days what new position Patrushev will occupy. The press spokesman of the Russian President, commenting on the reorganization in the military department, noted that innovative approaches are needed in the armed forces.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin are keeping their positions at the suggestion of Putin.
