Why Putin Keeps Shoigu As Russian Defense Minister

There are several reasons.

The world's media are speculating whether Sergei Shoigu will be able to retain his place as Minister of Defense after Putin's “inauguration”. There is no need to predict the actions of the Russian dictator.

This opinion was expressed to Channel 24 by opposition Russian journalist Igor Yakovenko, noting that there are no threats to Shoigu. His dismissal is disadvantageous for Putin for certain reasons.

According to Yakovenko, when talking about some of Putin’s actions, there is no point in predicting anything. According to Putin’s logic, according to the way he usually conducts personnel policy, there are no threats to Shoigu. He has qualities that make him irreplaceable:

— absolute pathological mediocrity is a person who is unsuitable for the post of a military minister of defense. He understands nothing about the army, about war. This is a plus, because Putin surrounds himself with mediocre people;

— absolute devotion — Shoigu and Putin — always relax together. This is important for Putin, because the person who is the Minister of Defense must be loyal to him so that the army “does not turn in the wrong direction.” This dictator's policy mirrors the actions of the Soviet Union;

— “icon” of Russia — Shoigu’s dismissal will be a demonstrative recognition of the defeat of Russian policy.

A Russian opposition journalist noted that after the detention of Shoigu's deputy Timur Ivanov, his submission increased.

- As for the position of Minister of Defense itself, Shoigu has nothing to do with what is happening at the front. There is no point in changing the leadership,” Yakovenko emphasized.