The minister has not participated in public meetings for almost two weeks. Russian media were surprised and speculated about health problems.
On Thursday, the Kremlin rejected long-standing speculations as to why Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu did not make a public appearance in the midst of the war in Ukraine for about two weeks. “He has a lot to do now,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in Moscow on Thursday, according to Interfax. There is no time to speak in the media. “It’s understandable.”
Even Russian media were surprised that Shoigu, 66, – who is the highest rank in the army general despite not having had a military career – has not had any public appointments since March 11. For example, there has been speculation about possible problems with the minister’s heart and deliberate restraint due to the events in Ukraine. The media should not believe these reports, said Peskow. He advised journalists: “Please contact the Department of Defense.”
Russia’s war with neighboring Ukraine has been going on for a month. Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov reports daily about the deployment of Russian troops. President Vladimir Putin also speaks regularly. On Thursday, he met with members of the National Security Council. According to Peskov, Shoygu reported “on the progress of the military special operation” – this is how the war in Russia is soberly described.
Hiking and fishing with Putin
Shoigu, who studied civil engineering, comes from a humble background and comes from the Autonomous Republic of Tuva in southern Siberia on the border with Mongolia. From 1991, he was the head of the Civil Protection Office, and later its competent minister, in 2012 he was briefly the governor of Moscow, and since that year he has been the minister of defense. Accordingly, he led, at least formally, the major restructuring and re-equipment of the armed forces.
Putin and Shoigu on a boat on a fishing trip in the Republic of Tuva, August 2017. kremlin.ruShoigu is the father of two daughters and has strong personal ties with President Putin, as well as many privately, including hiking, horse riding, and Siberia fishing trips. Many observers see him as the perfect “servant”, an adaptable “chameleon” and “the last man in a bunker with Putin.” More favorable voices believe that his humble origins and nature-loving nature can soothe Putin in extreme situations and even act to serve as a “reserve” – for example, when Putin wants to expand a war into NATO territory or even use a nuclear bomb.
(APA / DPA / acc.)