Putin set to transfer Sergei Shoigu from Russian defence ministry

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to replace his long-standing ally Sergei Shoigu as defence minister, the Kremlin has announced,El.kz citesBBC.

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

Papers published by the upper chamber of the Russian parliament said Mr Shoigu will be replaced by Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov.

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

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