In a move to strengthen Russia's defense industry and energy sectors amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has assigned additional duties to two crucial government officials. Putin's decision aims to ensure technological leadership and reinforce the country's position as the second-largest oil exporter globally.

Denis Manturov, the only first deputy prime minister in Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin's new government, will be bestowed with extra powers. Manturov, aged 55, currently oversees the Russian defense and civilian industry, which has surprised the United States and its European allies by surpassing the combined artillery production of the entire NATO military alliance, despite facing sanctions.

Alexander Novak, Putin's trusted aide in the energy sector, will remain as the deputy prime minister overseeing energy, but will also take on additional responsibilities for managing the economy. Novak, aged 52, has been instrumental in Russia's relationship with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The appointment of Manturov and Novak highlights the Kremlin's focus on ensuring technological leadership and bolstering key sectors such as aircraft manufacturing, machine tool building, radio electronics, and the military-industrial complex. Russia aims to achieve dominance in all these areas.

Dmitry Patrushev, the former agriculture minister, will assume the role of a deputy prime minister, overseeing the agricultural sector. Oksana Lut will take charge as the new agriculture minister.

President Putin decided to retain Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov in their current positions. However, he proposed Sergei Tsivilev, the governor of Kemerovo region, as the new energy minister, replacing Nikolai Shulginov. Additionally, Anton Alikhanov, the 37-year-old governor of Kaliningrad, has been named as the proposed trade and industry minister.

Putin's decision to strengthen these key positions comes as his invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has resulted in deteriorating relations between Russia and the West. The conflict has been viewed by the West as an imperialistic land grab, while Putin portrays it as a battle against encroachment on Russia's sphere of influence, including Ukraine.

Despite facing Western sanctions, Russia's economy has continued to grow, and its forces have made advancements in Ukraine, even in the face of significant Western support for Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly warned that continued Western support for Ukraine, including the supply of weapons used against Russian territory, could escalate the conflict into a broader European war. Putin remains steadfast in his assertion that Russia will achieve all its aims in Ukraine.