Russia’s Putin Names New Defense Chief to Replace Long-Serving Ally Shoigu

Russian President Vladimir Putin has named a new defense minister to replace Gen. Sergey Shoigu, 68, a longstanding ally who has held the post since 2012. Gen. Shoigu is set to be replaced as defense minister by Andrei Belousov, a former minister of economic development and deputy prime minister. Unlike his predecessor, Mr. Belousov, 65, hails from a civilian rather than military background, but is said to be well-versed in military economics. “The president has decided that a civilian should head up the defense ministry,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on May 13. “On today’s battlefield, the winners are those who are more open to innovation,” he said....