Who is Russia's new defence minister Andrei Belousov, and why did Putin appoint him?
Vladimir Putin kicked off the beginning of his fifth term at the helm of the Russian Federation with a renewed Russian offensive in northern Ukraine and a reshuffle of his inner circle, including the defence ministry, where Soviet-educated economist Andrei Belousov has been installed at the top. Belousov graduated with honours from Lomonosov Moscow State University, holds a doctorate and comes from an academic background - but has no military experience or history in the Russian security services. "Putin needs a minister of defence who monitors efficient use of defence budget. Putin is command...