News In Brief

Soviets relieve No. 2 man in their defense hierarchy

The second most powerful man in the Soviet Defense Ministry, Chief of Staff Nikolai Ogarkov, has been relieved of his duties, the official Tass news agency said Thursday. Marshal Ogarkov gained international prominence last September as the man selected to explain the Soviet shooting down of Korean Air Lines Flight 7. His removal could indicate a major shake-up in the armed forces, Western diplomats said. Ogarkov was replaced by Marshal Sergei Akhromeyev.