Why is Sergei Shoigu being accused of a Putin putsch plot?

The annual Victory Day parade in Moscow will be a much smaller affair this year, without an intercontinental ballistic missile in sight. Why? Well, the threat of a Ukrainian drone attack is certainly one reason. But is there any credibility in reports of another threat - this time against Vladimir Putin himself? An anonymous European intelligence agency has claimed the Russian president is spooked over the prospect of a potential coup or even a possible assassination attempt. The alleged plotter is being named as former Putin ally and shunned ex-defence minister Sergei Shoigu. But how credible is this report, and is the president's paranoia justified? Our Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett joins Niall to discuss whether Shoigu is really plotting to oust Putin, and what it means if the leader's grip on power is slipping. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk

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Why is Sergei Shoigu being accused of a Putin putsch plot? is an episode from Sky News Radio - Daily by Sky News.

This episode is 16:32 long.

This episode was published on May 8, 2026.

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