Russian President Vladimir Putin relieved Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov of his duties on Tuesday, Nov 6, and appointed Sergei Shoigu to the post, RIA Novosti reported.

"Taking into consideration the situation that has emerged regarding the Defense Ministry, in order to create the requisite conditions for an objective investigation of all the issues, I made the decision to relieve Defense Minister Serdyukov of his duties," Putin said.

Russia's Defense Ministry has recently become embroiled in scandal over alleged real estate scams involving nearly $100 million run by subcontractor Oboronservis.

Shoigu most recently served as Moscow Region governor, and before that headed Russia's Emergencies Ministry.