On Tuesday Russia President relieved Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov of his duties on Tuesday, and appointed Sergei Shoigu as his replacement.

      The former Defense Minister has recently become embroiled in a scandal over alleged real estate scams involving nearly $100 million run by state defense firm Oboronservis. According to the President's statement, Serdyukov was relieved in order to create the requisite conditions for an objective investigation of all the issues.

      Serdyukov, 50, who was appointed by the Prime Minister in February 2007, was Russia’s first civilian defense minister. He was recently criticized for problems in Russia's defense establishment but always managed to keep his position.

      The new Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, most recently served as Moscow Region governor, and before that headed Russia's Emergencies Ministry, having one of the highest approval ratings among cabinet ministers.

      Shoigu has already said he was very surprised by this sudden appointment and also has promised to do everything in his power.