(civil) - South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity has appointed Andrey Laptev as the new Defense Minister, replacing Anatoly Barankevich, the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee reported on December 11.
Laptev previously served as chief of staff in the unrecognized republic's Ministry of Defense, reports Trend.
Former Defense Minister Anatoly Barankevich was appointed secretary of the security council.