Putin sacks Defense Minister Serdyukov

 NOVO-OGAREVO. November 6. KAZINFORM President Vladimir Putin relieved Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov of his duties on Tuesday, and appointed Sergei Shoigu as his replacement.

photo: QAZINFORM

"Taking into consideration the situation that has emerged regarding the Defense Ministry , in order to create the requisite conditions for an objective investigation of all the issues, I made the decision to relieve Defense Minister Serdyukov of his duties," Putin said.

Russia's Defense Ministry has recently become embroiled in scandal over alleged real estate scams involving nearly $100 million run by subcontractor Oboronservis, RIA Novosti reports.

Shoigu most recently served as Moscow Region governor, and before that headed Russia's Emergencies Ministry.

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