On May 14, 2024, Russian president Vladimir Putin appointed economist, and former secret service (FSB) head, Andrei Belousov as Russia’s new defense minister replacing long-serving Sergei Shoigu (aged 69). He also sacked three deputy defence ministers Nikolai Pankov (69), Ruslan Tsalikov (68), and Pavel Popov (67). All three had military backgrounds.As replacements Putin appointed Leonid Gornin (65), previously first deputy finance minister, and Anna Tsivileva (52), the daughter of his late cousin, as a deputy defence minister. Her husband Sergei Tsivilev is Russia's energy minister. Also named as deputy defence ministers were Oleg Savelyev (58) and Pavel Fradkov (43) - mainly lawyers and economists.