Putin dismisses Russian defence minister

File photo of Russia's Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov attending the opening of the MAKS-2009 international air show in Zhukovsky outside Moscow, Aug 18, 2009.[Photo/Agencies]

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov on Tuesday after the ministry was drawn in to an investigation into allegations of fraudulent sales of military assets.

Putin was shown on television informing Sergei Shoigu, a former emergencies minister, that he wanted him to replace Serdyukov.