Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin continued his sweeping reforms within the defence establishment on Monday, dismissing four deputy defence ministers and appointing a relative to a key role.
The reshuffle represents the latest phase of a thorough overhaul initiated by Putin in May, when he unexpectedly removed long-serving Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. Over two years into the conflict in Ukraine, these changes signal Putin’s intent to combat inefficiencies and corruption within the ministry, aiming to optimize Russia’s war economy for the benefit of frontline soldiers.
According to Kremlin decrees, Putin ousted deputy defence ministers Nikolai Pankov, Ruslan Tsalikov, Tatiana Shevtsova, and Pavel Popov. In a notable appointment, Anna Tsivileva, the daughter of Putin’s late cousin, assumes a deputy defence minister role focused on enhancing social and housing support for military personnel. Her husband, Sergei Tsivilev, serves as Russia’s energy minister.
Previously tasked with leading a state fund supporting participants in Russia’s Ukrainian war effort, Tsivileva’s new role underscores Putin’s strategy to integrate family ties into key administrative positions.
Leonid Gornin, formerly the first deputy finance minister, transitions to first deputy defence minister under Defence Minister Andrei Belousov. Belousov, an economist lacking military background, was appointed last month to succeed Shoigu. Gornin’s mandate includes improving financial transparency and ensuring efficient allocation of budgetary resources, as outlined by the defence ministry.
Also Read | Spanish Defense Minister Stands Firm Against Sending Troops to Ukraine
Joining the deputy ranks are Oleg Savelyev and Pavel Fradkov, the latter being the son of former Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. Fradkov’s responsibilities will encompass overseeing military-related property, land, and construction management.
The purge and appointments come in the wake of a major corruption scandal involving Timur Ivanov, a former deputy defence minister arrested for alleged bribery in April. Subsequently, four other high-ranking officials within the ministry and general staff have faced similar charges, marking one of the most significant corruption cases to impact the Russian government in recent years.
