Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (L) and President Dmitry Medvedev inspect a Victory Day parade in Red Square in Moscow on May 9, 2008. Warplanes screamed over Red Square and missile launchers rumbled past ranks of soldiers on Friday when Russia celebrated victory over Nazi Germany with a show of military might not seen since the collapse of the Soviet Union. (UPI Photo/Anatoli Zhdanov)

Many of the key ministers who served Putin when he was president will remain in the government of his chosen successor Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported Monday.

Retaining their posts are Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev.

Alexei Kudrin has been named finance minister.

The news agency says the number of deputy premiers is being increased under the new government from five to seven.

Former Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov and former presidential aide Igor Shuvalov will serve as first deputy prime ministers.

The government is adding a new ministry of sports, tourism and youth policy which will be headed by the chief of the Russian Football Union, Vitaly Mutko, RIA Novosti said.