Putin appoints Bulyga as deputy secretary of the Russian Security Council

Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Andrei Bulyga, previously Deputy Defence Minister, as Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council. This follows from a decree published on the Kremlin's website on Saturday.

In a separate decision, Putin named Colonel-General Alexander Sanchik, who until now served as commander of the Southern Military District, as the new deputy defense minister - replacing Bulyga.

Lieutenant General Andrei Bulyga has held the post of deputy minister since March 2024, in charge of the army's logistical support. He took up the post shortly before a series of corruption scandals erupted last April that led to the arrest of more than a dozen senior officials, including three former deputy defence ministers.

Sergei Shoigu, the long-serving defence minister, was appointed secretary of the Security Council in May 2024 after facing criticism over the handling of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and allegations of widespread corruption in the military.

The Kremlin has not yet officially commented on the new personnel changes.

(reuters, lud)