Putin in control as Russia names cabinet
Putin seeks high poll turnout to bolster successor"It is no doubt a positive sign that Kudrin, known for his conservative policies, has stayed ... It is logical that people who worked with Putin in the presidential administration moved to the government."
Among the few major changes were the removal of Telecoms Minister Leonid Reiman, who has repeatedly denied media reports that he indirectly owns a major stake in Russia's number three mobile operator Megafon.
Medvedev's other two key appointments were the naming of former FSB spy service chief Nikolai Patrushev, a Putin ally, to run Russia's powerful Security Council and the promotion of FSB deputy chief Alexander Bortnikov to replace Patrushev.
Bortnikov was previously head of the FSB in Putin's home city of St Petersburg.
Under Russia's constitution, the prime minister proposes cabinet names to the president, who must approve them before they are final.
(Additional reporting by Guy Faulconbridge and James Kilner; Writing by Michael Stott; Editing by Stephen Weeks)
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