Sunday’s announcement that Russian President Vladimir Putin is replacing Sergei Shoigu as his defense minister has sparked speculation and jokes on social media. Shoigu, who has held the position for 12 years, will reportedly be replaced by civilian Andrei Belousov, a former deputy prime minister and economic specialist. Shoigu will now take on the role of Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, replacing Nikolai Patrushev. The change comes as Putin begins his fifth presidential term and as the war in Ukraine continues. The Institute for the Study of War has suggested that Putin may have held a publicized meeting with a rival of Shoigu as a way of reducing the defense minister’s power.
The announcement of Shoigu’s replacement with Belousov has led to reactions on social media, with some suggesting that cracks are starting to appear in Putin’s leadership. Political economist Konstantin Sonin has commented on the shift, calling it a illustration of a “degenerate autocracy” theory, indicating that things are not going according to Putin’s plan. Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, has noted that Patrushev appears to be the “big loser” in the shuffle as he was also one of the key decision makers behind the invasion of Ukraine. Many users have taken the opportunity to make dark jokes about the changes.
The cabinet changes come as Russian forces are making “tactically significant gains” in areas of Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region. Moscow launched a push across the border on Friday, resulting in limited offensive operations along the Russian-Ukrainian border. Russian forces have made significant gains in areas where defenses are likely weaker. In response, Ukraine is set to receive over 40 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, colloquially known as HIMARS, and ammunition in a fresh $400 million package sent by the United States. The Biden administration announced the $400 million Presidential Drawdown Authority military aid package for Ukraine in order to expedite the delivery of military assistance in times of need.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated that Putin appointed Belousov as defense minister in order to bring new ideas and innovation to the ministry. The move may be seen as a way to shake up the military leadership and possibly address shortcomings in achieving the Kremlin’s military goals in Ukraine. The announcement of Shoigu’s replacement has brought attention to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the strategic changes within the Russian government. The appointment of a civilian to the defense minister role may signal a shift in Putin’s approach to military leadership and decision-making.
Overall, the cabinet changes in Russia, particularly the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defense minister, have generated speculation and analysis about the motivations behind the move. The ongoing war in Ukraine and the strategic gains made by Russian forces in certain areas have added a sense of urgency to the shifts in leadership. The response on social media has been mixed, with some suggesting that cracks are forming in Putin’s regime, while others make light of the situation with dark humor. The long-term implications of these changes on Russia’s military strategy and the war in Ukraine remain to be seen.
