Putin set to transfer Shoigu from Russian defence ministry

Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken the initiative to remove his long-time ally Sergei Shoigu from the post of Defense Minister.

Putin proposed the name of acting First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov in the post, reports BBC today (May 13).

According to the report, the 68-year-old Shoigu has been in the role since 2012 and is to be appointed secretary of Russia's Security Council.

Shoigu has played a key role in Russia's war with Ukraine.

Russian government papers show Putin wants Shoigu to take over from Nikolai Patrushev on the powerful security council. It is not yet clear what Patrushev's new post will be.