Moscow, Russia – Russian President Vladimir Putin made new changes at the leadership level in the defense and security establishment, issuing a decree on Saturday relieving Deputy Defense Minister Andrei Buligha of his post and appointing him Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council.
At the same time, Putin appointed the commander of the Southern Military District, Alexander Sanchik, as deputy defense minister, replacing Poliga.
Poliga transferred to the Security Council
The presidential decree, published on the Kremlin website on Saturday, stipulated “the appointment of Lieutenant General Andrei Puligha as Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council, and his dismissal from his current post (Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia).”
Bulega, who holds the rank of lieutenant general, had been serving as deputy defense minister for logistics support since March 2024. He took over the position after a period that saw a series of corruption cases rock the ministry starting in April 2024, leading to the arrest of more than ten people, including three former deputy defense ministers, on charges including embezzlement and bribery.
The appointment of Buligha to the Security Council comes under the leadership of former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who was appointed secretary of the council in May 2024, amid corruption scandals and criticism of the performance of Russian forces in Ukraine.
Sanchez succeeds Poliga
In a separate decree, President Putin appointed General Alexander Sanchik as Deputy Minister of Defense.
The decree stated: “Appointing Colonel General Alexander Sanchik as Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia, and relieving him of his current post (Commander of the Southern Military District).”
Prior to this appointment, Sanchik served as commander of the Southern Military District in Russia.
