Moscow, Nov 6 (IANS/RIA Novosti): President Vladimir Putin relieved Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov of his duties Tuesday, and appointed Sergei Shoigu as his replacement.
"Taking into consideration the situation that has emerged regarding the Defence Ministry, in order to create the requisite conditions for an objective investigation of all the issues, I made the decision to relieve Defence Minister Serdyukov of his duties," Putin said.
Russia's Defence Ministry has recently become embroiled in alleged real estate scams involving nearly $100 million run by subcontractor Oboronservis.
Shoigu most recently served as Moscow region governor, and before that headed Russia's emergencies ministry.