Sergei Kuzhugetovich SHOIGU is Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation and a permanent member of the Russian Security Council (RSC). The RSC has been involved actively in decision-making about Russian policy towards Ukraine. On 21 February 2022, SHOIGU spoke in favour of a proposal to recognise Donetsk and Luhansk as independent republics. As a member of the RSC, SHOIGU has therefore been responsible for, provided support to, or promoted a policy or action which destabilises Ukraine or undermines or threatens the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine.