Russian Interior Ministry general Vitaly Shulika appointed Deputy Defence Minister

Colonel-General of Police Vitaly Shulika has been appointed Deputy Minister of Defence of Russia, according to RBC citing sources. He replaces Oleg Savelyev, who reportedly left the position to take up other work.

Colonel-General of Police Vitaly Shulika, previously serving in Russia's Interior Ministry (MVD), has been appointed as Deputy Minister of Defence, Russian business outlet RBC reported, citing unnamed sources close to the matter.

Shulika takes over the role from Oleg Savelyev, who left the deputy minister post, according to sources, "in connection with a transition to other work." No further details about Savelyev's new position were provided.

The appointment is notable as it brings a senior police official into one of Russia's top defence ministry roles, continuing a broader pattern of personnel reshuffles within Russia's military and security establishment that has accelerated since the start of the war in Ukraine.