Putin names Shoigu Secretary of Security Council

Vladimir Putin has relieved Nikolai Patrushev of his post as Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, replacing him with Sergey Shoigu, who has been serving as Russia’s defense minister. Patrushev will “transfer to another role.”

Shoigu has headed Russia’s Defense Ministry since November 6, 2012.

Putin has proposed appointing Andrey Belousov as the new defense minister.

Nikolai Patrushev served as Secretary of the Security Council beginning in May 2008. Prior to that, he directed the FSB beginning in 1999.