Much of the analysis of the reshuffle in the Russian government seems to be missing how much it is about coup-proofing Putin's regime rather than making smart decisions for Russia.
In #Kharkiv, Russian forces persist in their offensive despite heavy shelling. The defense forces are pushing them back, according to AFU General Staff spokesman Lykhoviy.
The replacement of Sergei #Shoigu with Andrei Belousov as Russia's defense minister strongly suggests that Putin is taking significant steps to mobilize the Russian economy and military-industrial complex - particularly to support the ongoing war in Ukraine and possibly prepare for a future confrontation with #NATO, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
V Moscow Times:
BREAKING
Vladimir #Putin will not reappoint Defense Minister Sergei #Shoigu , the state-run TASS news agency reported. He has proposed Andrei Belousov, a former First Deputy Prime Minister and economic adviser, to replace Shoigu. Putin has also dismissed Nikolai #Patrushev from his post as head of the Security Council. Patrushev, a former spy, has long been seen as a close member of Putin's inner circle.
Sergei Shoigu is now going to head the Russian security council instead of Nikolai Patrushev, arguably Putin's closest aide. No word on where Patrushev is going 🤔
Andrei Belousov is the new defense minister. #russia#geopolitics@Geopolitics#shoigu
At a meeting with the top military brass in charge of what Moscow calls the "special military operation" in #Ukraine, Defence Minister Sergei #Shoigu said the volume, quality and speed of arms production needed to be increased.
"To maintain the required pace of the offensive ..., it is necessary to increase the volume and quality of weapons and military equipment supplied to the troops, primarily weapons," Shoigu said in footage released by the defence ministry
“We will increase the intensity of attacks on logistics centers and storage bases for Western weapons” in Ukraine, Russian Defense Minister Sergei #Shoigu said Tuesday at a meeting with senior military staff, according to the ministry’s Telegram channel. #Russia will strengthen its armed forces “and increase the production of the most in-demand weapons and military equipment” in response to the support of the #US and its allies for #Ukraine, he said.
#Russian Defense Minister Sergei #Shoigu stated that the Russian military intends to recruit up to 745,000 contract personnel by the end of 2024 at the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) Collegium on December 19.
Russia has no plans for an additional mobilization of men to fight in Ukraine as more than 335,000 have signed up so far this year to fight in the armed forces or voluntary units, Defence Minister Sergei #Shoigu said on Tuesday.
"Since the start of the year, more than 335,000 people have entered military service under contract and in volunteer formations," Shoigu said. "In September alone, more than 50,000 citizens signed contracts."
'there is one person who used to be sort of a liaison between #Russia 's Def Min and #Wagner . Andrey #Troshev , callsign Sedoy, was one of Wagner’s spokespeople… After the #mutiny he fled to another private military company called #Redut - it is essentially a military unit operated out of military bases and run by the Def Min.'
#Russia Defense Minister Sergei #Shoigu made his first public appearance since a #Wagner uprising demanded his ouster. The Defense Ministry released a video showing Shoigu in a helicopter and in a meeting at a military headquarters in Ukraine
#Russian state media showing pictures / footage of defence minister Sergey #Shoigu supposedly visiting Russian #army positions on the frontline in #Ukraine (not clear when the footage was filmed)
Meanwhile, the rouble hit 15 mths low, and anti-terror measures have been lifted in #Moscow