Sergei Shoigu

Ukraine pierces Russian border triggering major battles

Ukraine struck back on Tuesday - and the battles continued through the night into Wednesday as Ukrainian forces pushed to the northwest of the border town of Sudzha.

A serviceman of 24th Mechanized brigade named after King Danylo of the Ukrainian Armed Forces prepares a SPG-9 anti-tank grenade launcher to fire toward Russian troops at a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the town of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region, Ukraine August 6, 2024.
 Andrei Belousov attends a government meeting in Moscow, Russia January 28, 2020.

Putin taps economist to run defense, replacing Shoigu in unexpected move

 North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un and Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu inspect Russian military aircraft and missiles put on display at Knevichi aerodrome near Vladivostok in the Primorsky region, Russia, September 16, 2023.

North Korea's Kim views Russian nuclear-capable bombers, hypersonic missiles

 Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group pull out of the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to base, in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023

Wagner Group downsizing after mutiny against Russia -UK


Russia says troops leaving strategic Kherson, Ukraine doubts full pullout

Ukraine reacted with caution, noting some Russian forces remained in Kherson and reinforcements were being sent to the region.

 A Ukrainian flag flies above the ruins of buildings destroyed during fighting between Ukrainian and Russian occupying forces, on October 24, 2022 in Kam'yanka, Kharkiv oblast, October 24, 2022.

In major retreat, Russia orders troop withdrawal from Kherson

The retreat of Russian troops will occur sometime "In the near future," according to Shoigu, although a specific date was not yet set.

 Ukrainian servicemen fire a 2S7 Pion self-propelled gun at a position on a frontline in Kherson region

Russia declares mobilization for Ukraine complete

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told President Vladimir Putin: "The task set by you of (mobilizing) 300,000 people has been completed. No further measures are planned."

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu attends a meeting with President Vladimir Putin at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence, outside Moscow, Russia, October 28, 2022.

Leader of Russia-annexed region calls for Russia’s Military Chief to ‘shoot himself’

A close ally of Vladimir Putin, the Russian Federation's Military Chief Sergei Shoigu has often been marked as a potential successor to Putin in the Kremlin.

 Russian President Vladimir Putin (C), Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (R) and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visit the Hmeymim air base in Latakia Province, Syria December 11, 2017

Russian navy should be equipped with tactical nukes, says Russian scientist

Tactical nuclear weapons are smaller weapons designed to be used with more conventional weapon platforms such as artillery shells or torpedoes. 

 A Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is launched during the exercises by nuclear forces in an unknown location in Russia, in this still image taken from video released February 19, 2022.

Russian defense minister reappears after suddenly disappearing on March 11

Sergei Shoigu, who disappeared from the public eye on March 11, was briefly seen in a Security Council meeting. "He has a lot on his plate," a Kremlin official said.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow, Russia, January 13, 2022.

Russia agrees to keep Iran, Hezbollah forces away from Israeli border

Moscow agrees to a new buffer zone along Israel's border with Syria in the wake of the harsh exchange between the Jewish state and Damascus.

Israeli soldiers stand atop tanks overlooking the border between Israel and Syria

Netanyahu to Russian defense minister: Israel won't allow Iranian presence in Syria

Russian Defense Minister Shoigu is in Israel for the first time this week.

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman (left) stands with his Russian counterpart, SergeiShoigu, during a visit to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem yesterday.

Russia's Defense Minister to begin first official visit to Israel

Sergei Shoigu's visit comes days ahead of Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman's visit to Washington, DC.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu salutes