Putin Appoints Cousin as Deputy Defense Minister Amid Major Military Shake-Up

Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed his cousin, Anna Tsivileva, as deputy defense minister as part of a significant military leadership shake-up following the dismissal of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the arrest of several high-ranking military officials on corruption charges. Tsivileva, previously the president of JSC Kolmar Group and sanctioned by the UK for her ties to Putin, will oversee social welfare and benefits for soldiers. Analysts suggest that the changes indicate Moscow's strategy to outlast Ukraine and its Western allies by tightening control over military spending. Additionally, Pavel Fradkov, son of former Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, was also appointed as a deputy defense minister. The appointments have sparked allegations of nepotism and raised concerns about the Kremlin's increasing grip over the military amid ongoing tensions with NATO.