The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org. May 13, 2024 Putin Replaces Long-Standing Defense Chief Shoigu as Russia Claims 9 More Villages in Kharkiv --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In other international news, Russian President Vladimir Putin has removed Sergei Shoigu as defense minister. Shoigu had served in the role since 2012 and had overseen Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He is being replaced by the economist Andrei Belousov. This comes as Russia says it has captured nine more villages in Ukraine's Kharkiv region. In recent days, thousands of Ukrainians have evacuated their homes as Russia expands its attack near the city of Vovchansk. Meanwhile, at least 15 people died in the Russian city of Belgorod after a downed Ukrainian missile hit an apartment building. .