Andrei Belousov, a trusted economist and technocrat with no military background, has been appointed as Russia’s new Defense Minister. Belousov is known for his number-crunching skills and bureaucratic oversight and has been a close adviser to President Vladimir Putin on matters related to the economy. His move to the Defense Ministry reflects a shift in Moscow’s approach to the conflict in Ukraine, focusing on outspending Kyiv and outlasting the West through a war of attrition. Belousov will oversee Russia’s military expenditures and is expected to tackle excessive bureaucracy at the ministry, as well as conduct a major audit and restructuring of the army’s finances.
As the former First Deputy Prime Minister, Belousov has advocated for aggressive state spending to boost arms production and overcome Western sanctions. His appointment as Defense Minister has been seen as a strategic move by the Kremlin to combine the war effort with economic innovation, fitting the economy of the security sector into the broader economy of the country. While Belousov is unlikely to have a significant influence over military decisions, his focus will be on managing Russia’s military spending, which has risen to around 7% of GDP this year. The move indicates a belief in Moscow that victory in the conflict could be influenced by factors beyond the front lines.
Born in Moscow in 1959, Belousov comes from a family with a background in economics. He graduated from Moscow State University and has steadily climbed the ranks in the Russian government during Putin’s tenure. He has served in various economic roles, including as an adviser to prime ministers and deputy economy minister, before becoming a key adviser to Putin on domestic economic issues. Belousov’s reputation as a trusted confidant of Putin was further solidified when he was appointed as deputy prime minister in 2020, overseeing support for Russian businesses during the pandemic. Following Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine in 2022, Belousov’s role has focused on protecting the Russian economy from Western sanctions and supporting the offensive.
Belousov’s appointment as Defense Minister signifies a strategic shift in Russia’s approach to the conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing economic strength and innovation as key components of military success. His background in economics and his close relationship with Putin make him a trusted figure to oversee Russia’s military expenditures and ensure efficiency in the defense sector. While he may not have a direct influence on military operations, Belousov’s focus on managing military spending and streamlining the defense ministry’s finances reflects a broader strategy to outlast Ukraine and the West in a war of attrition. His appointment underscores the importance of integrating economic factors into military strategy for Russia’s current approach to the conflict.
