[6] Belousov went to the prestigious secondary school focused on mathematics and physics (now known as Lyceum named after V.F.

[1][9] From 1981 to 1986, Belousov was probationer-researcher and then junior researcher in the simulation laboratory of human-machine systems of the Central Economic Mathematical Institute.

[14] On 21 January 2020, Belousov was appointed as First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia in Mikhail Mishustin's Cabinet.

[2] From 30 April to 19 May 2020, Belousov was appointed by Vladimir Putin as Acting Prime Minister of Russia, temporarily replacing Mikhail Mishustin, after the latter was diagnosed with coronavirus.

[18] On 12 May 2024, President Putin appointed Belousov Minister of Defense, replacing Sergei Shoigu, effective 14 May 2024.

[19][20] Jimmy Rushton, a Kyiv-based security analyst, said on X, formerly Twitter, that Shoigu's replacement with Belousov signals that Putin believes he will win "via outproducing (and outlasting) Ukraine" and is "preparing for many more years of war".

Belousov and Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun called for the two sides to "deepen strategic collaboration" and "continuously advance military relations.

[24] On 16 December 2024, Belousov said at a joint meeting with Putin that Russia should prepare for multiple scenarios, including a war with NATO, in the next decade.