"Complete Failure of Ukraine Invasion" Putin's Anger Leads to Heart Attack... Missing Russian Defense Minister

Burned Russian military tank in the Kyiv region of Ukraine [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Claims have been raised that Sergey Shoigu, Russia's Minister of Defense and a close aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, is receiving treatment for a myocardial infarction.

On the 25th (local time), according to the British BBC, Anton Gerashchenko, advisor to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, stated on Facebook that "Sergey Shoigu, Russia's Minister of Defense, suffered a myocardial infarction and is currently undergoing rehabilitation treatment in a hospital."

He added, "His symptoms occurred after Putin's strong criticism that 'the invasion of Ukraine has completely failed.'"

Minister Shoigu has not made any public appearances since his meeting with Hulusi Akar, Turkey's Minister of Defense, and his visit to a military hospital in Moscow on the 11th. The Times evaluated that it is very unusual for Minister Shoigu to be absent from the media for such a long period.

Subsequently, some speculated about Shoigu's health issues and the possibility of his dismissal. It is suggested that Russia, which invaded Ukraine, faced setbacks in its plan to capture the capital Kyiv (Kiyev) in a short period, leading Shoigu to take responsibility and step down from his position.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) visited a military equipment exhibition hall with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu after attending an expanded senior officials meeting at the Ministry of Defense held at the National Defense Control Center in Moscow on December 21 last year (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Russian state media reported that Minister Shoigu also visited a military hospital on the 18th, but the footage used was previously recorded material. Shoigu appeared in a video conference scene with President Putin released on the 24th, but suspicions of manipulation have arisen.

In the released video, the monitor President Putin is watching is divided into 13 screens, with the top left corner being a black screen. During Putin's speech, this black screen flickered, and Shoigu appeared for a few seconds. However, unlike others, Shoigu's voice was not heard, and it is unclear when this meeting actually took place.

Regarding this, the Daily Mail reported that there are allegations Russia manipulated the footage using past videos to suppress recent rumors about Shoigu's health issues.

The Russian government officially denies the rumors about Shoigu's health problems.

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, said on the 24th regarding Shoigu's whereabouts, "As you understand, the Minister of Defense is very busy right now," adding, "Naturally, this is not the time for active media appearances." When asked about Shoigu's health rumors, he said, "(I) cannot answer," and advised, "Please inquire directly with the Ministry of Defense."