Russia appoints new deputy defence minister after Savelyev resigns

Russia has appointed Colonel General of Police Vitaly Shulika as Deputy Minister of Defence following the resignation of Oleg Savelyev.

Savelyev stepped down from the position “due to a career change," Caliber.Az reports per Russian media. 

Savelyev had served as Deputy Defence Minister since 2024. Before joining the Defence Ministry, he held several senior government positions in Russia.

From 2008 to 2014, he worked as Deputy Minister of Economic Development, including during the tenure of Andrei Belousov at the ministry. Savelyev later served as Russia’s Minister for Crimean Affairs, Deputy Head of the Government Administration, and Deputy Head of the Accounts Chamber.

In 2019, he was appointed as an auditor at the Accounts Chamber, Russia’s top state audit institution.

By Sabina Mammadli