Sergey Shoigu, born on May 21, 1955, in Chadan, Tuva Republic of Russia, started his career as a construction engineer. His father was a successful politician, while his mother moved to Tuva from Ukraine. He graduated in civil engineering in 1977 and worked at various construction companies until the late 1980s. In 1990, he was appointed vice chairman of the State Committee on Architecture and Construction, marking a significant turning point in his career.
Shoigu’s political journey continued to rise when he became chairman of the Russian rescue agency in 1991. Despite lacking experience in handling conflicts or natural disasters, he played crucial roles in various armed conflicts and crisis situations. This earned him accolades and promotions within the Russian government.
However, during Russia’s campaign in Ukraine in 2022, Mr. Shoigu formulated a strategy for swift victory but encountered numerous obstacles and setbacks during the conflict. This led to a decline in his reputation and strained his relationship with President Putin. Despite this setback, Shoigu faced further challenges when one of his close associates attempted to overthrow him by staging a coup that failed. The coup’s instigator later perished in a plane crash.
In June 2023, President Putin transferred Mr. Shoigu to the Russian Security Council, signaling a new phase in his political career as secretary of the council responsible for national security matters related to terrorism and organized crime prevention. Shoigu will work alongside other senior officials such as Foreign Intelligence Service director Sergey Ivanov and Interior Minister Alexander Galkov to ensure Russia’s safety and stability.
Shoigu’s transfer to the Russian Security Council is significant because it marks his return from political exile after being demoted as Defense Minister following Russia’s failed military operation against Ukraine earlier this year.
The Russian Security Council has been tasked with coordinating efforts related to national security matters such as counterintelligence operations against foreign threats such as NATO and Islamic extremists operating within Russia’s borders.
In conclusion, Mr. Shoigu has had an illustrious career spanning decades that has seen him rise through the ranks of politics from civil engineering to Defense Minister before being appointed secretary of the Russian Security Council by President Putin.
