Putin's Defense and Security Team Shuffle for Conflict in Ukraine

President Putin shuffles defense and security team to mobilize Russia's war economy for conflict in Ukraine against the West. Belousov appointed as new defense minister, Shoigu transferred to security council role. Historical references to former US Defense Secretary McNamara's military procurement overhaul. Putin aims to achieve minimum war goal of seizing full control of eastern Ukraine's Donbas region. Defense spending surging to historically high levels. Russian economy transforming into a war economy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin replaces Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Cabinet shakeup

Russian President Vladimir Putin replaces Sergei Shoigu as defense minister, appointing him as secretary of Russia's Security Council. Shoigu's deputy was arrested on bribery charges, leading to speculation of his dismissal. Andrei Belousov is nominated as the new defense minister. Thousands of civilians flee Russia's ground offensive in Ukraine's northeast, with intense battles forcing Ukrainian units to withdraw.