Putin sacks Defense Minister Serdyukov

14:41, 6 November 2012

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.

"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.