Russian President Vladimir Putin has removed his long-standing ally Sergei Shoigu as defence minister..
The 68-year-old has been in the role since 2012 and is to be appointed secretary of Russia’s Security Council.
Papers published by the upper chamber of the Russian parliament said Mr Shoigu will be replaced by Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov.
The Kremlin said the defence ministry needed to stay “innovative”.
Russian government papers show Putin wants  Shoigu to take over from Nikolai Patrushev on the powerful security council.
