Putin puts KGB veteran in charge of defence

Vladimir Putin has named a former KGB veteran as Russia's new defence minister.

The change comes amid a growing climate of distrust with the United States.

Changes in Putin's Cabinet had been expected. However, he did not remove Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov.

In the most crucial move, Mr Putin replaced Defence Minister Igor Sergeyev with Security Council chief Sergei Ivanov, a longtime KGB veteran in the Soviet era. Mr Putin is also a former KGB agent.

Western governments had long recommended that Russia follow the practice of putting a civilian in charge of the military.

However, Mr Ivanov holds the rank of general in the powerful Russian security services.

Explaining his decision, Mr Putin told a government meeting in the Kremlin that the changes would help "demilitarise" Russia's public life.

"While conducting military reform it is necessary to appoint a civilian to the job of defence minister," Mr Putin said.

He also said the shake-up is linked with the changing situation in and around breakaway Chechnya, after car bombs in southern Russia this weekend killed at least 23 people.

The president recently put the Federal Security Service in charge of running the military operation in Chechnya, and Mr Ivanov's appointment is likely to strengthen that.

He is broadly considered the number two figure in the Russian political establishment and has played a key role in shaping Russia's foreign and security policy.