​Putin's cousin's house engulfed in flames in mystery blaze

The cause of the inferno is under investigation by law enforcement amid suspicions of sabotage.

It is the second property linked to the controversial Russian businessman.

Previously, a hotel where Roman had offices in Novy Urengoy was targeted in successive arson attacks, causing £8million worth of damage.

It is unclear if the arson was linked to opposition to Vladimir Putin or his war in Ukraine.

Roman is the son of Putin’s first cousin Igor Putin, to whom the house was officially registered.

The 45-year-old was not at the property at the time of the fire. Roman’s son was at the property when the blaze began and escaped without injury.

Roman began his career in the secret service, serving in the FSB once headed by Vladimir Putin.

He switched to local government before founding a company called Putin Consulting to trade on the famous family name.

Roman founded a party called People Against Corruption and has unsuccessfully run for a seat in the Russian parliament.

Investigators examining the cause of the Putin home blaze said faulty wiring may also be responsible.

The spokesperson from the defence forces of southern Ukraine told broadcaster RBC-Ukraine that bad weather prevented kamikaze drones overnight.

Natalia Gumenyuk said while Russian forces were continuing artillery shelling in the country there was an "absence of a drone attack".

She said: "We understand that the absence of drone attacks was, in a way, a result of the weather conditions as well.

"However, the enemy persists in shelling, and once again made its presence felt to the residents of Kherson and Antonivka last night."