Russia's new Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said Tuesday he will work to improve the effectiveness of the military so Moscow can achieve "victory" in the war against Ukraine.
“The main priority, of course, remains achieving victory and ensuring the achievement of the military-political goals of the special military operation…” Belousov said in an address to the upper house of the Russian Federation Council.
“Everything in the country is effective and advanced, everything should work for victory, so that the armed forces can fulfill their duties,” he added. “Every ruble of budget money that our citizens ultimately pay [should] bring maximum effect.”
President Vladimir Putin on Sunday appointed Belousov, an economist who previously served as first deputy prime minister, to replace Sergei Shoigu as defense minister. The move indicates the Kremlin plans to double down on its more than two-year war against Ukraine.
Putin is expected to formally appoint Belousov along with four other ministers and several security chiefs after consultations with the Federation Council on Tuesday.
In his address to the upper house of parliament, Belousov stressed that Russian armed forces must suffer "minimal human losses" as they strive for victory on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Belousov added that “a huge number of questions” surround the issue of arms supplies to Russian troops stationed in Ukraine, and said that its implementation “requires daily and even hourly” control.
He also promised lawmakers that in his new role he would live by the "iron principle: you can make mistakes, but you can't lie," a clear admission of ongoing inefficiency and deception in the Russian military.
The Kremlin has made clear that Belousov, who like his predecessor has no military experience, will not be involved in operational decisions on the Ukraine campaign, which will remain under the responsibility of the Army General Staff.
