Putin proposes removing defence minister Sergei Shoigu from his post

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed removing defence minister Sergei Shoigu from his post.

Mr Putin nominated first deputy prime minister Andrey Belousov for the role.

His appointment must now be approved by Russian lawmakers.

The change comes weeks after Timur Ivanov, a Russian deputy defence minister in charge of military construction projects, was jailed pending an investigation and trial on charges of bribery.

In line with Russian law, the entire Russian cabinet resigned on Tuesday when Mr Putin began his fifth presidential term at a glittering Kremlin inauguration.