Tag: Shoigu

JRL NEWSWATCH: “Russians Are Unraveling Before Our Eyes; A wave of fresh humiliations has the Kremlin struggling to control the narrative” – Foreign Policy/ Alexey Kovalev

Headlines, JRL NewsBlog, Media, Internet, Social Media, Television, Military, Militias, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Kremlin and River

“[After militant incursions into Russian territory,] [c]ombined with … Moscow drone attack[s], it’s now clear … Russia’s war has come home to roost … The Ukrainians have also been stepping up their drone attacks on oil refineries, airfields, and other critical sites deep inside Russia. … [T]he Russians seem to be unraveling. … [such as with] the bitter conflict between […]

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JRL NEWSWATCH: “Russia, China sign roadmap for closer military cooperation” – AP

China, JRL NewsBlog, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
File Photo of Beijing Temple, adapted from image at lbl.gov

“Russia’s defense chief [Sergei Shoigu] … signed a roadmap for closer military ties with China …. Russia has sought to expand ties with China as … relations with the U.S. and its allies sank to post-Cold War lows over … [Russia’s] annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea[], accusations of Russian hacking attacks, interference in elections and other disputes. … Russia and China […]

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JRL NEWSWATCH: “Is Russia’s defence chief emerging as Putin’s possible successor? Putin is still pondering the idea of another term, but as he approaches 70, bets are being placed on Sergey Shoigu” – Al Jazeera

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Shoigu file photo, adapted from image at defense.gov by Steven C. Welsh, www.stevencwelsh.info :: www.stevencwelsh.com

… [M]any wonder who will succeed [Putin], and when. … [T]he Kremlin scrupulously weeds out all charismatic critics. … [P]otential successors from the halls of power have been demoted to irrelevant sinecures. … Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu[] [is] Russia’s longest-serving cabinet member and its second-most popular politician …. [H]e hails from Tuva, an impoverished province of Turkic-speaking Buddhists that borders […]

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Is Shoygu Preparing to Become Russian President?

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Shoigu file photo, adapted from image at defense.gov by Steven C. Welsh, www.stevencwelsh.info :: www.stevencwelsh.com

For the third time in recent days, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu has spoken out about issues beyond those normally viewed as the province of an official in his position. … [I]s he positioning himself to become president, likely with the current Kremlin leader’s blessing? […]

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JRL NEWSWATCH: “Russia Says No Plans to Install New Missiles Unless U.S. Deploys Them” – Reuters

JRL NewsBlog, Nuclear, Missile Defense, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Iskander Missile with Launch file photo

“Russia will not deploy new missiles as long as the United States shows similar restraint in Europe and Asia, Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu said …. The United States formally left the … INF[] treaty with Russia … after accusing Moscow of violating the treaty and deploying one banned type of missile, allegations the Kremlin denies. Russia has also pulled […]

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RUSSIALINK TRANSCRIPT: “[Putin] Meeting with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu” – KremlinRu

Arctic, Disasters, Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Kremlin and River

(Kremlin.ru – July 2, 2019) The Defence Minister reported to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief on the fire on the Northern Fleet deep-water research submersible in the Barents Sea, which killed 14 sailors. Vladimir Putin conveyed his sincere condolences to the families of the dead and gave instructions on providing them with assistance and support. President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Shoigu, […]

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RUSSIALINK: “Russia, Cuba agree on key issues, including countering illegitimate sanctions – Shoigu” – Interfax

CIS, Customs Union, Eurasian Union, Cuba, Foreign Policy, Security, Visas
Map of Cuba and Environs

MOSCOW. Nov 14 (Interfax) – Russian-Cuban interaction on the international scene is strong, and they take similar stances to sanctions pressure, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a meeting with Cuban Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces Leopoldo Cintra Frias in Moscow on Wednesday. “We give high marks to the alliance between Russia and Cuba on the international scene. […]

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NEWSWATCH: “Russian officials accuse West of fomenting new Cold War” – AP

JRL NewsBlog, Military, NATO, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Sergei Shoigu file photo

“Top Russian defense and security officials on Wednesday launched diatribes at the West, accusing it of fomenting a new Cold War in a bid to retain waning influence in global affairs. Moscow used an annual security conference attended by top defense officials from Asia, Africa and Latin America to harshly criticize the U.S. and its allies …. Russia-West relations have […]

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NEWSWATCH: “Backed by Putin, Russian Military Pushes Into Foreign Policy” – Reuters

Foreign Policy, Security, Visas, Middle East, North Africa, Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Shoigu file photo

“From Damascus to Doha … Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has been showing up in unexpected places, a sign of the military’s growing influence under … Putin. … at times wearing his desert military uniform, Shoigu has held talks with Syria’s president in Damascus, met Israel’s prime minister in Jerusalem and been received by the Emir of Qatar in Doha. The defense ministry’s […]

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Moscow Times: Russia Says It Plans to Pivot From Nuclear Deterrence, Avoiding Trump’s Arms Race

Military, Nuclear, Missile Defense, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Russian Mobile ICBM Parade File Photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – January 12, 2017) When it comes to strategic deterrence, Russia might replace its nuclear weapons with precision bombs, in order to help reduce international tensions and strengthen world peace, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a public lecture on Thursday, the news agency RIA Novosti reported. According to Shoigu, Moscow plans to rely on […]

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TRANSCRIPT: [Putin at] Meeting with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

Foreign Policy, Security, Visas, Middle East, North Africa, Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Syria
Syria Map

(Kremlin.ru – December 29, 2016) Mr Shoigu and Mr Lavrov briefed the President on work to resolve the Syrian crisis, in particular, agreements reached between the Syrian government and the opposition on a ceasefire and readiness to begin peace talks. President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, The news has just come in that this morning, a few hours ago, an […]

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RBTH: Moscow and Washington consider expanding cooperation in Syria

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria
Syria Map

U.S. President Barack Obama made an offer to Russia to begin joint combat operations against the Al-Nusra Front militants. Some Russian experts believe that this overture has been made in order to strengthen the Democrat Party’s position in the presidential election race. Yet this step also could have positive implications for Moscow. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – NIKOLAI […]

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Interfax: Shoigu: NATO doubled intensity of trainings near Russian borders

Military, NATO, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Sergei Shoigu file photo, adapted from image at defense.gov by Steven C. Welsh, www.stevencwelsh.info :: www.stevencwelsh.com

(Interfax – June 29, 2016) NATO has dramatically intensified the number of trainings near the Russian borders, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said. “The intensity of the trainings of the NATO armed forces conducted in direct vicinity of the Russian borders has more than doubled,” he said at a Russian Defense Ministry collegium meeting on June 29. “We do not […]

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TRANSCRIPT: [Putin at] Meeting with Sergei Lavrov and Sergei Shoigu

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria
Syria Map

(Kremlin.ru – March 14, 2016) Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu to address issues of settling the Syrian crisis. The President gave an order to begin withdrawing the main part of Russian troops from the Syrian Arab Republic on March 15. The President of Russia also instructed the Foreign Ministry […]

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Number of troops in NATO contingent in Baltic republics, Poland, Romania grows 23-fold, number of planes up 8-fold over past year – Shoigu

Baltics, Europe, EU, Military, NATO, Poland
Sergei Shoigu file photo, adapted from image at defense.gov by Steven C. Welsh, www.stevencwelsh.info :: www.stevencwelsh.com

MOSCOW. Dec 11 (Interfax) – The number of troops deployed in the Baltic republics and Central Europe has grown manifold over the past year, and modernization of U.S. nuclear air bombs is pending. “Over the past year alone, the NATO contingent in the Baltic countries, Poland and Romania has grown eight-fold in terms of planes and 23-fold by the number […]

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TRANSCRIPT: [Putin] Meeting with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu

Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Shoigu file photo, adapted from image at defense.gov by Steven C. Welsh, www.stevencwelsh.info :: www.stevencwelsh.com

(Kremlin.ru – December 8, 2015) Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. In particular, the Defence Minister informed the President on the discovery of the flight data recorder from the Russian fighter jet shot down in Syria by the Turkish Air Force. President of Russia Vladimir Putin: How is work proceeding, Mr Shoigu? You and I […]

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Shoigu at 60: The Man Who Would Be Russia’s King?

Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Shoigu file photo, adapted from image at defense.gov by Steven C. Welsh, www.stevencwelsh.info :: www.stevencwelsh.com

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Ivan Nechepurenko – May 22, 2015) Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, a close ally, friend and rumored potential successor of President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, turned 60 on Thursday. “A servant to the tsar, a father to soldiers,” political pundits say of Shoigu – one of the country’s longest-serving government officials – citing Mikhail […]

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Interfax: Russian defence chief “seriously concerned” by US counterpart’s statement

Military, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Sergei Shoigu file photo

(Interfax – Moscow, October 16, 2014) US Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel’s statement on the necessity of preparing the American army for “dealing with the Russian armed forces” is evidence that military scenarios near the borders of the Russian Federation are being worked on, Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoygu has told journalists. “Chuck Hagel’s point on the necessity of preparing […]

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RIA Novosti: Kiev’s Claim of Russian Involvement in Ukraine ‘Smells of Paranoia’ – Moscow

Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Sergei Shoigu file photo

MOSCOW, April 17 (RIA Novosti) – Kiev’s claim that Russian special forces are involved in orchestrating protests in Ukraine “smells of paranoia,” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Thursday. Shoigu’s comment followed a statement by Ukrainian security chief Valentin Nalivaichenko, who alleged Russian special forces are participating in ongoing pro-federalization protests in southeastern Ukraine. “These statements smell of paranoia,” Shoigu […]

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RIA Novosti: Ukraine Follows ‘Arab Spring’ Scenario – Russian Defense Minister

Military, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Sergei Shoigu file photo

KHUJAND, Tajikistan, April 1 (RIA Novosti) – A scenario similar to the Arab Spring has unfolded in crisis-hit Ukraine during and after the events leading up to the ouster of the country’s president in February, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday. “With great sorrow, I noted that a scenario similar to the Arab Spring was used in that country,” […]

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RIA Novosti: Shoigu Says Rumors of Russian Military Downfall “Nonsense”

Military
File Photo of Russian Tanks in Military Parade

KRASNOYARSK, February 12 (RIA Novosti) – Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday dismissed as “utter nonsense” online rumors that the Russian armed forces are virtually non-existent. At a meeting with students in the Siberian city of Kransnoyarsk, Shoigu was asked to comment on online rumors that “there is nothing left, our army is a total wreck and we can […]

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Interfax: Russians like Shoigu as defense minister more than Serdyukov – poll

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Kremlin and St. Basil's file photo

MOSCOW. Nov 28 (Interfax) – Russians are increasingly positive about the situation in the Russian Army now that a year has passed since Sergei Shoigu’s appointment to the post of defense minister, a poll conducted by VTsIOM shows. Shoigu was appointed defense minister on November 6, 2012 after President Vladimir Putin dismissed Anatoly Serdyukov from the post. The respondents, however, […]

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Cancerous Corruption Pervades Russia’s Defense Sector

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Military
File Photo of Russian Nuclear Missile on Mobile Launcher Near Woods

(Eurasia Daily Monitor: Volume 10, Issue 203 – Roger McDermott – Jamestown Foundation – jamestown.org – November 12, 2013) Since President Vladimir Putin appointed Sergei Shoigu to be Russia’s defense minister in November 2012, the defense ministry leadership has resorted to Soviet-era “snap inspections” of its Armed Forces to raise combat readiness and gain additional insight into the condition of […]

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Shoigu Says NATO and Terrorism Russia’s Top Challenges

Foreign Policy, Security, Visas, NATO, Terrorism
Kremlin and St. Basil's

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimws.com – Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber – November 11, 2013) Terrorism and NATO’s expansion at Russia’s borders are the country’s two main security threats, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Saturday, hinting at a renewal of the armed forces’ strategic and doctrinal direction after years of failed reforms. During an interview broadcasted on Rossia 1, Shoigu cited Syria, Afghanistan, Mali […]

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RIA Novosti: Sergei Shoigu’s First Year as Defense Minister: Preliminary Results

Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Shoigu file photo

(RIA Novosti – Aleksey Mukhin – November 5, 2013) A news conference ­ Sergei Shoigu: A year as Defense Minister. Performance results ­ was held at the RIA Novosti multimedia press center. During the event, General Director of the Center for Political Information and Valdai Club expert Alexei Mukhin presented a report on the activities of the Defense Ministry during […]

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Shoigu Opts for Mystical Defense Plans (Part One); Russian defense expenditures prove too low to maintain sufficient military training levels

Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Russian Tanks in Military Parade

(Eurasia Daily Monitor: Volume 10, Issue 193 – Jamestown Foundation – jamestown.org – Roger McDermott – October 29, 2013) As the anniversary approaches in November 2013, marking one year since President Vladimir Putin sacked Anatoly Serdyukov and appointed Sergei Shoigu as Russia’s defense minister, evidence is mounting to indicate that the change may not herald better times for the military. […]

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New defense minister continues dialogue with NATO

Foreign Policy, Security, Visas, Military, NATO
NATO Meeting file photo

(Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Viktor Litovkin, special to RBTH – October 29, 2013) At a NATO-Russia Council meeting in Brussels, the Russian Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu offered the international community assistance in destroying Syrian chemical weapons and expressed his hope to resume Russia-NATO dialogue on ABMs in Europe. Last week, Brussels hosted a meeting of the […]

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RIA Novosti: Moscow Needs More ‘Predictability’ in NATO Missile Defense Plans

NATO, Nuclear, Missile Defense, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Patriot Missile Launch file photo

MOSCOW, October 23 (RIA Novosti) ­ Russia aims to cooperate with Western powers on security issues but needs guarantees that a US missile shield in Eastern Europe would not target its nuclear forces, Russia’s defense minister said Wednesday. “We have failed to work jointly on this issue. The European missile defense programs are developing, and our [Russia’s] concerns are not […]

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Interfax: Putin, Medvedev, Shoigu most popular politicians in H1 2013 – Levada Center

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Shoigu file photo

(Interfax – MOSCOW, June 28, 2013) The ratings of Russian leaders remained stable in the first half of 2013, sociologists say. A total of 63% respondents gave positive evaluation to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s work in June and 36% said they trusted Putin, Levada Center told Interfax on Friday on the results of the all-Russia survey. The trust rating of […]

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Russian Soldiers Still Unfit – Shoigu

Military
File Photo of Russian Military Conscripts Boarding Train with Gear

(RIA Novosti – MOSCOW, June 3, 2013) ­ The physical fitness of Russia’s soldiers remains inadequate due to the poor state of recruits and shoddy training, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Monday. The Defense Ministry has tried recently to improve physical training in the Russian army and navy, with more time allocated to physical exercise, Shoigu said at a […]

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Shoigu Kicks Serdyukov Reform Into Long Grass

Military
File Photo of Russian Military Conscripts Boarding Train with Gear

(Eurasia Daily Monitor – Eurasia Daily Monitor – Volume 10, Issue 96 – Jamestown Foundation – jamestown.org – Roger McDermott – May 21, 2013) Six months after his appointment as Russia’s defense minister, Army-General Sergei Shoigu has initiated a number of policy reversals in key areas of his predecessor’s Armed Forces reform. Some of these changes were small measures, however […]

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Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu Russia’s most popular politician – survey

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Shoigu file photo

(Interfax – MOSCOW, May 20, 2013) Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is the most popular and one of the most influential members of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s government, a survey among prominent figures in the media and politics suggests. First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are the others in the top troika on a 28-name […]

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Shoigu Wants Military to Focus on Core Competencies

Military
Sergei Shoigu file photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Alexander Bratersky – March 21, 2013) Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the military should finally rid itself of “non-relevant functions,” during a high-level meeting on Wednesday. Despite the bravado tone of speeches dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the government’s defense industry commission, Shoigu openly disagreed with senior officials during his speech, which followed other […]

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Army reform continues to march forward

Military
Sergei Shoigu file photo

(Russia Beyond the Headlines – www.rbth.ru – Viktor Litovkin, special to RBTH – February 22, 2013) The replacement of Anatoly Serdukov by Sergei Shoigu has not meant a retreat from the modernization of the Russian armed forces. On the eve of Feb. 23, Defender of the Fatherland Day, Russian Defense Minister General Sergei Shoigu alerted the Ivanovo Airborne Division, based […]

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Armenia Looks to Russia for Support

Armenia
Map of Armenia and Environs

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Ivan Nechepurenko – February 20, 2013) Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, re-elected in a landslide victory Monday, is expected to keep the promotion of Russian ties a priority during his second five-year term, as his country moves closer to clinching an Association Agreement with the European Union. Flare-ups in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, seized by Armenia […]

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Shoigu the most popular Russian minister – poll

Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Shoigu file photo

MOSCOW. Feb 1 (Interfax) – Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ranks first on the Cabinet members popularity chart (the prime minister and deputy prime ministers excluded), with 90% of respondents polled recently giving him highest marks, the Public Opinion Foundation pollster (FOM) has announced. Sixty-eight percent of respondents polled on January 26 and 27 highly appraised his work since he took […]

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The ‘Nuanced Look’: Russia’s Defense Minister Considers Majors Reform Reversals

Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Shoigu file photo

(Eurasia Daily Monitor: Volume 10, Issue 7 – Jamestown Foundation – jamestown.org – Robert McDermott – January 15, 2013) Russia’s new defense minister, Army-General Sergei Shoigu, under the guise of pursuing “nuanced changes” to the Armed Forces’ reform managed by his predecessor Anatoly Serdyukov, is reportedly considering systemic revisions to the entire process. These range from revising the reformed military […]

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Serdyukov Has Been Disgraced, but His Reforms Will Continue

Military
File Photo of Close-Up of Line of Russian Soldiers in Dress Uniforms for Parade

(Jamestown Foundation – jamestown.org – Eurasia Daily Monitor: Volume 9, Issue 223 – Pavel Felgenhauer – Dec. 6, 2012) A month ago on November 6, President Vladimir Putin sacked Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, replacing him with Sergei Shoigu, a former long-time emergency situations minister (MChS), who was only last May appointed governor of the Moscow region. Russia’s top general – the first […]

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NEWSLINK: Purge and prejudice: What will the fate of military reform tell us about the anti-corruption campaign?

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Man Placing Stack of Large Bills into Inside Pocket of Suitcoat

[Purge and prejudice: What will the fate of military reform tell us about the anti-corruption campaign? – Mark Galeotti – Moscow News – themoscownews.com – Dec. 3, 2012 – Mark Galeotti (Twitter: @markgaleotti) is Professor of Global Affairs at New York University’s SCPS Center for Global Affairs. His blog, “In Moscow’s Shadows,” can be read at http://inmoscowsshadows.wordpress.com – full article […]

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Shoigu Suspends the “Serdyukov” Military Reform

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Shoigu file photo

(Jamestown Foundation – jamestown.org – Eurasia Daily Monitor: Volume 9, Issue 213 – Roger McDermott – November 20, 2012) A near catatonic trance descended upon the Russian media in the aftermath of President Vladimir Putin sacking his controversial Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov on November 6, with a preoccupation on issues of corruption and speculation on the fallen minister’s private life. […]

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Rumors in Moscow hint that new Defense Minister Shoigu may eventually replace Putin: Andropov’s Shadow over the Kremlin Clan Feuds

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, History, Soviet Union, Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Shoigu file photo

(Jamestown Foundation – jamestown.org – Eurasia Daily Monitor: Volume 9, Issue 207 – Pavel K. Baev – November 12, 2012) The Russian political class had hardly any time last week to contemplate the consequences of US President Barack Obama’s re-election for a second term or to follow the tense atmosphere at the 18th Communist Party Congress in Beijing­it was the […]

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Shady dealing, sex scandals and Russia’s defense crisis

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Anatoliy Serdyukov file photo

(Moscow News – themoscownews.com – Anna Arutunyan – November 12, 2012) When Anatoly Serdyukov, reportedly clad in a bathrobe and slippers, opened the door to a police unit raiding his former employee’s apartment, it was the tipping point for Russia’s beleaguered defense minister. But it wasn’t the only reason by far why the catastrophically unpopular defense minister was sacked last […]

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NEWSLINK: Russian defence: Reform and be sacked: The firing of Russia’s defence minister may be a setback for military reform

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Segei Serdyukov with Bob Gates

(Russian defence: Reform and be sacked: The firing of Russia’s defence minister may be a setback for military reform – The Economist – November 10, 2012 – http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21566006-firing-russias-defence-minister-may-be-setback-military-reform-reform-and-be-sacked) The Economist covers the sacking of former Russian defense minister Anatoly Serdyukov: “Anatoly Serdyukov, Russia’s defence minister from 2007 until November 6th when President Vladimir Putin fired him, was never much of […]

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NEWSLINK: Russia’s Putin fires top general after graft scandal

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Russian Tanks on Parade

(Russia’s Putin fires top general after graft scandal – Reuters – Timothy Heritage – November 9, 2012 – http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/09/us-putin-defence-idUSBRE8A80RC20121109) Reuters covers Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reshuffling of his top military staff, following the replacement of former defense minister Anatoly Serdyukov with Sergei Shoigu: Russian President Vladimir Putin replaced the chief of his military staff on Friday in a reshuffle that […]

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Shoigu Inherits Armed Forces at Crossroads

Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Shoigu file photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Alexander Bratersky and Jonathan Earle – November 9, 2012) When Sergei Shoigu took the reins of the Defense Ministry on Thursday, he officially inherited a military at a crossroads, torn between tradition and the half-completed reforms of his disgraced predecessor, Anatoly Serdyukov. Shoigu will have to decide between maintaining a large, conventional force or pursuing […]

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Amid Defense Ministry Shakeup, Corruption Case Grows

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Shoigu file photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Alexander Bratersky – November 8, 2012) Sergei Shoigu officially took over his new defense minister duties Wednesday, receiving the so-called nuclear briefcase, while prosecutors announced new findings in a corruption case at a ministry agency that led to the ouster of his predecessor, Anatoly Serdyukov. Shoigu, best-known for his long tenure as emergency situations minister, […]

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Shoigu Seen as Ideal Fit to Head Defense Ministry

Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Shoigu file photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Alexander Bratersky – November 7, 2012) Sergei Shoigu said he was surprised by his appointment to replace Anatoly Serdyukov as defense minister, but his combination of popularity among the public and loyalty to the Kremlin makes him a fitting choice to head one of the country’s most important government sectors. Shoigu, who entered government service […]

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Experts welcome Putin’s appointment of new defence minister

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Shoigu file photo

(Interfax – November 6, 2012) Russian political experts have disagreed whether President Putin’s decision to sack Defence Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov and appoint Sergey Shoygu, governor of Moscow Region and former emergencies minister, in his place will lead to changes in military reform and major reshuffles in the top brass of the Russian Armed Forces. At the same time, most experts […]

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