Russian President Vladimir Putin during his meeting with Moscow region governor Sergei Shoigu said he had dismissed Anatoly Serdyukov as defense minister. Putin told Sergei Shoigu he had decided to appoint him to the post.
"... the future leader of this very important, one of the most important departments in the country should be the person who will be able to continue all the positive things we have done in recent years and the dynamic development of the Armed Forces of the country, ensure the execution of the state defense order and those ambitious plans for the army and navy rearmament, which we have," Putin said at the meeting.