Anatoly Bibilov, the de-facto current leader of separatist Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia, named lieutenant colonel Vladimir Pukhaev as the new "defence minister." According to Bibilov's press department, Pukhaev has been a senior intelligence officer in the general staff of the South Ossetian military forces since 2017.

He formerly worked at the "defence ministry" from 2007 to 2015, and on the Tskhinvali security committee from 2005 to 2007. Pukhaev also worked for the "defence ministry" as a military contractor from 2004 to 2005, and for four years at the "interior ministry's" special purpose mobile unit (OMON).

Earlier, Moscow-backed Ibragim Gazseev, the former "military minister" of separatist South Ossetia's leader Anatoly Bibilov, was sacked. Russian general Viktor Fedorov, Gazseev’s first deputy, was designated acting defence chief.

The expulsion came as Bibilov has grown more irritated with Gazseev’s plan to run against him in the April 10 "presidential elections." Bibilov explained his decision on February 26 by saying that "the military ministry should not be left without a head" while Gazseev is preoccupied with political matters.