Russian President Vladimir Putin has fired Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov. This comes amid a major embezzlement case involving the Oboronservis company which is affiliated to the Russian Defense Ministry.­ Pictured: September 01,2012. Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov (c)and Alexander Bastrykin (r), head of The Investigative Committee of Russia at the opening ceremony of cadet school in Moscow.