Putin Sacks Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov

[Razor]

NOVO-OGARYOVO, November 6 (RIA Novosti) – President Vladimir Putin relieved Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov of his duties on Tuesday, and appointed Sergei Shoigu as his replacement.
"Taking into consideration the situation that has emerged regarding the Defense Ministry, in order to create the requisite conditions for an objective investigation of all the issues, I made the decision to relieve Defense Minister Serdyukov of his duties," Putin said.
Russia's Defense Ministry has recently become embroiled in a scandal over alleged real estate scams involving nearly $100 million run by state defense firm Oboronservis.

Anatoliy Serdyukov

A spokesperson for Russia's Investigation Committee – a body similar to the FBI – said Serdyukov could now be questioned in connection with the case.
"Putin personally took the decision to sack Serdyukov," the Kremlin said in a statement. "The appointment of Shoigu as defense minister was made on the recommendation of the prime minister [Dmitry Medvedev]."
Serdyukov, 50, who was appointed by then Prime Minister Putin in February 2007, was Russia's first civilian defense minister. He oversaw an attempted streamlining of the military, which caused resentment within the armed forces.

Sergey Shoygu

Shoigu, 57, most recently served as Moscow Region governor, and before that headed Russia's Emergencies Ministry, where he consistently enjoyed some of the highest approval ratings among cabinet ministers. A four-star army general, his appointment is likely to be welcomed by the military.
"This was a surprise," Shoigu said of his appointment at meeting with Putin. "I will try to do everything in my powers"¦to repay your trust in me."

Source: RIA Novosti

Note:
1. Serdyukov was a civilian, Shoigu a four star general.
2. Serdyukov was responsible for major reforms in Russian Military.

 

[Razor]

Putin sacks Defense Minister amid embezzlement probe

Russian President Vladimir Putin has fired the country's Defense Minister, Anatoly Serdyukov. The move comes amid a major embezzlement case involving Oboronservis, a company affiliated to the Russian Defense Ministry.
"[The] resignation of Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov has been effected to ensure the objectivity of the investigation of the violations in the Defense Ministry," Putin told Shoigu during a meeting following the appointment.
President Putin stressed that the newly appointed minister "must continue further dynamic development of the army to ensure the fulfillment of the state arms order and the immense plans of re-equipment of the army."
"You might become such a person," Putin told Shoigu.

Embezzlement in Russia's Defense Ministry
A major fraud case involving Oboronservis was launched by the Central Investigation Committee in late October. Two former Defense Ministry officials are the main suspects in a $100 million corruption case that has dominated the headlines in Russia for the last two weeks. Multiple cases of real estate fraud were reportedly committed by a commercial company controlled by the Russian Defense Ministry.
The Central Investigation Committee launched five criminal cases into the alleged embezzlement of around 3 billion rubles ($100 million US). The investigations revealed that Defense Ministry officials had invested heavily in real estate before selling it to affiliates for prices well below market value.
During the probe, a team of investigators searched an apartment belonging to Defense Ministry official Yevgeniya Vasilyeva. Lifenews.ru reported that officers were met at the door by Serdyukov.
The former Defense Minister could face questioning if he becomes implicated in the Oboronservis embezzlement case, Central Investigation Committee spokesperson Vladimir Markin told Interfax news agency.
"If there is a reason, Anatoly Serdyukov will naturally be questioned," Markin said.
Serdyukov was Russia's first civilian defense minister, and enacted extensive and unpopular reforms within the military. The Defense Ministry has traditionally been staffed by career military officers, bureaucrats who allegedly held Serdyukov in extremely low regard.

Anatoly Serdyukov

Chief Rescuer of Russia

The newly appointed head of Defense is Sergey Shoigu, who has been the governor of Russia's second-most populous region, Moscow. Previously, Shoigu created and headed Russia's widely popular Emergency Ministry (EMERCOM) for 18 years.-
Shoigu's current military rank is Army General; Serdyukov came from a civilian background.
During Russia's turbulent 1990s, EMERCOM was one of the few reliable institutions in the country. The ministry earned public acclaim for its quick and effective responses to emergencies and disasters.

Sergei Shoigu

Source: RT

 

[Razor]

2008 Russian military reform

Significant reforms of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation were announced in October 2008 under Defence Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov, and major structural reorganisation began in 2009. The stated aims of the reform are to reorganize the structure and the chain of command in the Russian army, and to reduce it in size.[1]

Key elements of the reforms announced in October 2008 include

1. reducing the armed forces to a strength of one million by 2012;
2. reducing the number of officers;
3. centralising officer training from 65 military schools into 10 'systemic' military training centres;
4. creating a professional NCO corps;
5. reducing the size of the central command;
6. introducing more civilian logistics and auxiliary staff;
7. elimination of cadre-strength formations;
8. reorganising the reserves; reorganising the army into a brigade system;
9. reorganising air forces into an air base system instead of regiments.

2008 Russian military reform
Anatoliy Serdyukov

 

[spikey360]

even Russia is tackling corruption at the highest levels.. and us..

 

[Razor]

Sergey Shoygu

1. Sergey Kuzhugetovich Shoygu (Russian: Серге́й Кужуге́тович Шойгу́) (born May 21, 1955) is a Russian political figure who was Minister of Emergency Situations from 1994 to 2012.

2. In March 2012, he was announced as one of the potential candidates for the Governor of Moscow Oblast.[2][3] In April 5, 2012 he was elected as the 3rd Governor of Moscow Oblast, and entered into his office in May 11, 2012.[4] On November 2012 he was appointed to the Minister of Defence of Russia.

3. He is an ethnic Tuvan and the only Buddhist in the Russian government.
Note: Tuva Republic is federal subject of the Russian Federation in the Siberian Federal District. It borders Mongolia.

4. Shoigu graduated from the Krasnoyarsk Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Civil Engineering.

5. In 1991, he was appointed the head of Rescuer Corps, which was later given more responsibilities and renamed first to the State Committee on Emergencies, and eventually to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, making Shoigu a government minister.

6. He became popular because of his hands-on management style and high visibility during emergency situations, such as floods, earthquakes and acts of terrorism.

7. He was awarded the Russia's most prestigious state award – Hero of the Russian Federation – in 1999.

8. He speaks nine languages, including English, Japanese and Turkish.

9. He also has the largest collection of ancient samurai swords in Russia, worth over $40 million.

Source: Sergey Shoygu

Wow. A Buddhist is now the Defense Minister of a Nuclear Power.

 

[indian_sukhoi]

No Offence to my fellow Buddhist viewers,..........Never thought a Buddhist would appoint has Defence Minister