What does Putin expect from Belousov and what will happen to Shoigu?
Everyone has already digested a little the personnel changes in power made the day before by the president. We were in no hurry to catch the hype, talked with several high-ranking interlocutors, and now we are ready to give you a more detailed breakdown. Shoigu failed to hold on to the post of Defense Minister, which means that in the near future he will lose his influence.
First of all, due to the fact that the Ministry of Defense is now not just an ordinary department. The Ministry of Defense now oversees the construction of many facilities in new regions, builds housing for the military, pays money for the death and injury of military personnel in the regions (including the so-called “coffins”). Combined with the power component, this was a very powerful tool in Shoigu’s hands. Don't forget about the Africa Corps (Африканский корпус), which has largely replaced the Wagner PMC and really influences the geopolitical situation on the continent, washing away gold, diamonds and other metals.
Belousov should conduct an audit and, as Minister of Defense, make the department more efficient from an economic point of view. The last straw for Shoigu’s dismissal was the investigation into his deputy Timur Ivanov. Combined with weak progress at the front, this persuaded Putin to make a decision. Compared to Shoigu, Belousov looks like a more advantageous candidate, since he has quite successful cases of reformatting the Russian economy in the context of sanctions and the implementation of successful managerial decisions. He was also not involved in any corruption scandals. Belousov’s appointment also indicates political changes. He is not only loyal to Putin, but also comes from the Gref-Kiriyenko group. And it was Sergei Vladilenovich who “improved greatly” against this background. Belousov is expected to build a strategy for a long-term [invasion of Ukraine] and provide funds for all this. The same transfer of the economy to a war footing. At the same time, Gerasimov will directly lead the troops for now. It is worth noting here that a civilian minister of defense is a completely adequate solution to current problems. By the way, everything is structured similarly in NATO countries and beyond.
After these upheavals, Patrushev will remain in the cage. Dmitry Patrushev is getting promoted , and Nikolai Platonovich will have less routine work in the Security Council. There will be small reforms in this body, aimed at Shoigu’s new functionality. But this is provided that Belousov’s audit does not show large-scale thefts in the Ministry of Defense and will not be made public. A Kremlin source said the president is once again trying to balance the influence of groups within the elite. It is obvious that people and companies that worked with Shoigu will be forced to either negotiate with Belousov or retreat. And this is a big redistribution of financial flows
During searches of his home, funds in the amount of more than 100 million rubles, gold coins, collectible watches and luxury items were discovered, the department reported. Kuznetsov was taken into custody on May 13, as specified in a post on the SK telegram channel