One of Vladimir Putin's allies has reportedly suffered a "massive" heart attack - believed to not be from natural causes.
That is the allegation made by a prominent Russian businessman.
It comes as the illegal invasion of Ukraine heads towards a third month.
Leonid Nevzlin, 62, an enemy of Vladimir Putin also said that Sergei Shoigu, 66, is "out of the game" and could be left "disabled if he survives" and is currently "in intensive care, connected to the devices".
He further alleged that 20 defence ministry generals have been detained in a growing "corruption" case that saw the arrest of 150 Federal Security Service (FSB) officers.
The exiled former co-owner of oil giant Yukos attributed the extraordinary claims to his unspecified sources in Moscow.
It has yet to be independently confirmed.
Mr Nevzlin alleged on Facebook : “Shoigu is out of the game, he may become disabled if he survives.
“He suddenly had a massive heart attack.
“He is in intensive care, connected to devices.
“Rumour has it that the heart attack could not have occurred from natural causes.”
There have been previous rumours about Shoigu's heart problems, and also claims that he was out of sight because Putin ordered him to operate from a remote nuclear bunker in the Urals.
Putin's forces have been attacking Ukrainian cities since February 24, with many accusations of them using illegal chemical weapons to do so.
And, speaking at a press conference earlier this week, the Kremlin leader has now fired a figurative warning shot of his own towards NATO.
The Russian leader was surrounded by security officers as he arrived in the far eastern region of Amur to visit a space port in tribute of the Soviet’s first manned space mission, the Daily Record reports.
Shortly after the presentation Putin held a press conference where he vowed Russian military have been using “weapons of unprecedented characteristics” in what appeared to be a veiled threat at NATO.
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