Questions swirl over whereabouts of Russia's defense minister

[Jilly_in_VA]

Speculation mounted over the whereabouts of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Thursday as the Kremlin spokesperson declined to comment on media reports that he had health problems.

Shoigu, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, has kept a low profile recently despite having a leading role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The independent investigative Russian outlet Agentstvo reported Wednesday that Shoigu was in poor health, citing anonymous sources in the ministry.

Peskov dodged questions on Thursday about the health of Shoigu. "The Defense Minister has a lot on his plate at the moment," he said when CNN asked about Shoigu's reported absence. "The special military operation is going on. Naturally, now is not exactly the time for media activity, this is quite understandable."

The Kremlin spokesperson declined to disprove the report by Agentstvo when asked by CNN. "I can't. You shouldn't listen to the Agenstvo media outlet. Please address [these questions to] the Ministry of Defense."

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/24/europe/russia-sergei-shoigu-health-intl/index.html

[lapfog_1]

1. "The Defense Minister has a lot on his plate at the moment,"

And Putin may have his head on a plate too.

If he is still alive... I would recommend not drinking any tea, not touching any doorknobs... and don't walk too close to any windows.

[lagomorph777]

2. That could explain why it looks like nobody is in charge.

[Wednesdays]

3. "...media reports that he had health problems."

Yeah, just a bit of excessive polonium.

[Deep State Witch]

4. Probably some Novichok Tea

He probably had some novichok tea in his cup, too.