Belousov will drain army budget better than Shoigu: expert on Russia's new defense minister

He said this on the Espreso TV channel.

"I was surprised that Belousov was appointed to the post of Russian Defense Minister. He is a cybernetic economist, and he is far from military affairs. Most likely, this appointment is more of an audit. There are two points here: either it is an audit and a rational approach to the use of resources and the budget allocated to the Russian army. Or, if you look at it realistically, it is most likely an idealization of the format of corruption schemes that existed during Shoigu's time," Kovalenko said. 

According to the military and political observer of the Information Resistance group, Shoigu did not understand military affairs, and Belousov is even less knowledgeable in military things.

"Perhaps Belousov, which will be negative for us, will use funds more rationally for certain operations. Or, which would be a better option for us, he will be better than Shoigu at swindling the budget of the Russian army," Kovalenko suggested.

• On May 12, Russian dictator Putin announced personnel changes in the Kremlin government - Sergei Shoigu is to be replaced as Russia's Defense Minister by Andrei Belousov, who was first deputy prime minister in the previous government.