Vladimir Putin proposes new defence minister as Ukraine fighting rages

Sergei Shoigu is being moved to a new role (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has proposed replacing Sergei Shoigu as defence minister and appointed him as secretary of Russia’s national security council.

The appointment comes after Mr Putin proposed appointing Andrei Belousov as the country’s defence minister in place of Mr Shoigu, who has served in the post for years.