Putin ‘paranoid’ he’ll be ousted by ex-ally and ‘paralyses web’ to cease him
Vladimir Putin is said to be ‘paranoid’ about a coup attempt by former ally Sergei Shoigu’s clan – and has allegedly shut down internet in central Moscow, according to unconfirmed reports
Rumours suggest Vladimir Putin is gripped by paranoia(Image: Getty Images)
An extraordinary rumour circulating in Moscow suggests that Vladimir Putin is gripped by paranoia, fearing a potential coup led by the inner circle of Sergei Shoigu, his most senior security council official.
This alleged concern has reportedly led to Putin’s regime crippling the internet in central Moscow, specifically around key security and military facilities suspected of plotting to overthrow the dictator.
The unsubstantiated theory was presented by channel VChK-OGPU, with ties to the secret services. Shoigu, 70, was dismissed as defence minister in May 2024, overseeing the war in Ukraine, and instead appointed as secretary of the Kremlin’s security council, another influential post.
Once a close ally of Putin’s, enjoying holidays together in Siberia, the pair’s relationship has grown severely strained of late.
A string of Shoigu’s close associates have been purged, arrested, and in some cases, jailed for corruption and embezzlement.
The most recent individual detained last week was ex-deputy defence minister Ruslan Tsalikov, 69, suspected of accumulating an astonishing family fortune of nearly £50 million through corruption.
Rumours hinted that Shoigu might be next to face purge and detention, yet he is believed to retain allegiance within the defence ministry, secret services, and other Russian power structures. Interestingly, Shoigu has been conspicuously absent since March 5, when mobile communications were disrupted in Moscow, despite the expectation that he would spearhead Russia’s response to the Middle East crisis.
“The Kremlin fears a coup attempt by Sergei Shoigu’s clan,” VChK-OGPU reported, providing their interpretation of events.
Whilst the channel admitted this theory seemed “far-fetched”, it emphasised: “In addition to the centre [of Moscow], communication is jammed where there are law enforcement facilities or in the residences of law enforcement officers.”
A similar situation occurred during Yevgeny Prigozhin’s unsuccessful coup attempt in June 2023, a former ally of Putin.
Businesses and ordinary Muscovites are expressing outrage over persistent internet disruptions and the blocking of key social media platforms like Telegram.
Restaurants are unable to accept reservations, leading one retailer to exclaim: “It’s chaos”.
VChK-OGPU quoted a source who said: “The restrictions on cellular communication and the Internet in the centre of the capital and in some areas of Moscow suspiciously coincided with the beginning of investigative activities against the closest people to Shoigu and himself.
“The attempt to send Tsalikov, the ex-Minister of Defence’s closest friend and associate, to Lefortovo [prison] was accompanied by some kind of insane struggle at the top.
“And it ended with the fact that Tsalikov did not go to Lefortovo. Everything ended with accusations and house arrest. The next one after Tsalikov could only be Shoigu himself.
“And he still retains enough influence, both in the highest echelons of power and in the special services, the Ministry of Defence.”
An insider revealed that by a ‘strange coincidence’, the internet and VPN blockage extended to the Lubyanka headquarters of the FSB security service, the Russian Presidential Administration, the Security Council, and Moscow-City VIP skyscraper district.
The blockage also affected special forces units of the Ministry of Defence and the FSB, including the Alpha and Vympel special forces and the operational staff of the FSB’s Service for the Protection of the Constitutional Order, it was reported.
“It is impossible to completely cut off cellular communication in Moscow, as the entire infrastructure of public utilities and other operational services of the capital is tied to data transmission via cellular communication,” the report stated.
“Therefore, such restrictions could only be caused by very serious reasons, given that there have been no serious drone attacks on Moscow these days.”
A fortnight ago, Putin signed a contentious sweeping law allowing the FSB to block electronic communications ‘for security reasons’ without explaining why they were doing so.
Kremlin commentator Andrey Pertsev penned: “The thoroughness with which Sergei Shoigu’s clan is being purged – essentially root and branch – vividly illustrates how sharply the level of internal conflicts within the power vertical has risen.
“Shoigu may be offered a voluntary exit from his security council post in exchange for immunity, but such guarantees in Russian practice are rarely reliable.”
Shoigu holds the record as the longest-serving senior official in the Russian government – first appointed in 1991 and serving more years even than the dictator.
During an appearance on March 5, footage reveals a visibly strained and aged Shoigu visiting wounded soldiers at the Meshcheryakov Rehabilitation Centre in Sergiev Posad.
This conjecture arises amidst Ukrainian territorial advancements on the frontline for the first time in several years, coupled with predictions of economic disaster and stagflation for the Russian economy following a four-year conflict resulting in a staggering toll of 1.3 million dead and injured among Putin’s troops.
