In a significant reshuffle of his most senior advisors, Putin moved Sergei Shoigu to the role of secretary of Russia's Security Council, and brought in Andrey Belousov to be in charge of defense.

According to commentators, the army's failures in the war against Ukraine, Shoigu’s conflict with his generals as well as a recent corruption scandal in the ministry were key factors in replacing him.

Following the announcement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “The defense ministry must be absolutely open to innovation, to the introduction of all advanced ideas, to the creation of conditions for economic competitiveness.

“The battlefield is won by whoever is more open to innovation.

“That is likely why the president has settled on the candidacy of Andrey Belousov.”

The reshuffle is the most significant Putin has undertaken since his full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

According to analysts, Belousov, who has no known military or security experience was appointed to try and root out corruption and reform the defense ministry.

But his appointment could also mean that Putin is looking to take a closer personal role in war tactics.

Acting premier for three weeks when Mikhail Mishustin the prime minister had Covid in 2020, Belousov is known to support a strong role of the state in the economy and in 2014 was the only economist in Putin's circle to support the annexation of Ukrainian Crimea.

The 65-year-old graduated with distinction from Moscow State University’s Faculty of Economics in 1981.

He was appointed deputy minister of economy (2006-2008), and when Putin was prime minister of Russia (2008-2012), he headed the department of economy and finance in the government chancellery.

Since then, he has had a reputation as "Putin's man", becoming an economic adviser to the Kremlin for seven years and from 2020-2024 held the position of first deputy prime minister.

According to Russia’s RBC broadcaster, during his youth Belousov practiced sambo karate.