Andreï Belooussov, who has a background in economics, takes over from Sergueï Choïgou, in post since 2012. With no military background, Belooussov is one of the Russian president’s key economic advisers

In an unexpected reorganisation, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed his emblematic Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Sunday 12 May and replaced him with Andrei Belooussov. Belooussov, 65, an economist by training, has no military experience. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov, quoted by the Tass agency, justified the decision by saying: ‘On the battlefield today, the winner is the one who is most open to innovation (…) That is why, at this stage, the President has taken the decision to entrust the Defence Ministry to a civilian’.

First deputy prime minister in the last government since 2020, Andrei Belooussov has been one of Vladimir Putin’s main economic advisers in recent years. He also briefly held the post of Minister of Economic Development between May 2012 and June 2013. This appointment comes at a time when the Russian army is advancing into the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv, increasing the pressure in the Donbass, around Chassiv Iar.

Born on 17 March 1959 in the Soviet Union, Belooussov studied economics at Moscow’s Lomonossov State University, graduating in 1981.
He has held a number of positions in the Russian administration, rising through the ranks to become an adviser to Vladimir Putin in 2013. Known for advocating greater government involvement in the economy, he has been involved in various innovation and development projects within the Russian defence industry.

Belooussov’s appointment suggests that the Kremlin hopes he will solve the problems of corruption and embezzlement within the army.It also reflects a desire to rationalise the Russian defence apparatus in the run-up to a protracted war in Ukraine. Andrei Belooussov was sanctioned by Western countries for his role in the Russian government’s economic policy and his support for the annexation of Crimea in 2014.