In a surprising turn, Russian President Vladimir Putin has reshuffled his military and governmental leadership, bringing a civilian economist to the forefront of defense.
Reuters reported that Russian economist Andrei Belousov stepped in as the new defense minister amidst the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.
The appointment of 65-year-old Andrei Belousov, previously a deputy prime minister, marks a significant shift in Russia's military strategy. Belousov replaces Sergei Shoigu, Putin's long-term ally, who has been reassigned to the position of secretary of Russia’s Security Council. This reshuffle is notably the most drastic change in military command since the Ukrainian invasion began in February 2022.
The Kremlin’s decision aims to integrate military spending into the national economy more effectively. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, underscored the necessity of innovation for military success. "The one who is more open to innovations is the one who will be victorious on the battlefield," he stated.
Following Shoigu’s transfer, the former Defense Minister will manage responsibilities concerning the military-industrial complex. Meanwhile, the previous Security Council secretary, Nikolai Patrushev, is set to undertake a new yet undisclosed role.
The reshuffle emphasizes economic strength in the face of severe Western sanctions that have tested Russia's fiscal durability. Putin's strategy involves leveraging Russia’s economic and military-industrial power against Ukraine, pushing for an enduring pressure campaign rather than quick military escalations. Andrei Belousov's background in economics and his significant contributions to Russia's drone program suggest a tactical redirection toward these goals.
Valery Gerasimov will maintain his role as Russia's General Staff Chief, preserving some continuity in the military hierarchy. The recent changes follow a period of intense scrutiny for Sergei Shoigu, who faced criticism and a near-mutiny spurred by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who later died in a plane crash.
Alexander Baunov, a well-regarded analyst, remarked on the strategic implications of Belousov's appointment. He suggested that Putin's plan might revolve around enhancing the efficiency of the defense industry and its integration with international markets.
The proposal to appoint one of the main court economists and the main state minister in the economic bloc to head the Defence Ministry may mean that Putin is planning to win the war with the defense industry plants and international markets.
The winning strategy, in this case, will not be mobilizations and breakthroughs but slow pressure on Ukraine with the superior power of the Russian military-industrial complex and the economy as a whole, which is supposed to be made to work more effectively for the front and rear.
Mark Galeotti, a noted security analyst, also commented on the fitting nature of Belousov's expertise for this role, considering Russia's economic challenges:
In that context, having an economist, someone who has been speaking about the need to subordinate much of the economy to the needs of the defense sector, makes a certain amount of sense. It is now essentially a financial administrator's job, and Belousov can do that.
Amid allegations of corruption and kickback schemes involving a deputy defense minister, a significant reshuffle in the Russian military and government leadership aims to enhance financial scrutiny within the defense sector. Despite these changes, key officials like the chiefs of the Federal Security Service, the Foreign Intelligence Service, and the Foreign Minister retain their positions, maintaining the core structure of Putin's administration.
This reshuffle seeks to bolster economic power for Russia's military endeavors while preserving the balance of personal loyalties and power dynamics within the political system. The international community will closely monitor the impact of these changes on the conflict in Ukraine.
