Putin overhauls Russian defence logistics and appoints new commanders

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov to announce a consolidation of all arms‑procurement and supply functions under a single post. The newly created post will be headed by Deputy Defence Minister Lieutenant‑General Alexander Sanich, a three‑star officer who previously commanded one of the country’s force groups.

Putin also named former Central Military District commander Lieutenant‑General V. Solodchuk to lead the unified logistics department and announced new commanders for the Middle and Eastern Group of Forces.

In related security news, a homemade bomb exploded in a Moscow restaurant, killing three people and injuring 21, two of whom later died in hospital. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that Western powers are attempting to fragment Russia into ethnic enclaves.