Two Putin allies mysteriously die in just 48 hours as Russia faces more Ukraine setbacks
Two of Vladimir Putin's allies have died in recent days
Reuters
A key ally of Vladimir Putin has become the second high profile Russian to die under mysterious circumstances in 48 hours.
Anton Cherepennikov, who had a core role in Russia's spying network, was found dead in his office in Moscow.
Aged just 40 years old, his death has been put down to a "cardiac arrest" by the country's media.
The prognosis was given despite no post-mortem having been carried out.
There has been a large rise in mysterious deaths of Russian elites
ReutersIt comes after Russian oligarch and former government official Igor Kudryakov was found dead at his home on Thursday.
A close friend of Cherepennikov has already suggested that the circumstances around his death are suspicious.
“I do not believe [he died of] cardiac arrest," said Vasily Polonsky.
Cherepennikov was the owner of most of Russia's systems that could wiretap phones and store internet traffic data.
He was seen as an important part of Putin's grip on power across the country.
A source from the Russian opposition added: "He was an absolutely key tool in Putin’s repression.
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"His assassination cannot be ruled out as the security apparatus becomes desperate due to the failing war."
Cherepennikov and Kudryakov are just the latest in a long list of Russian elites to have been found dead in mysterious circumstances.
Since the invasion of Ukraine, there has been a rise in the number of fatalities among those who mix in Kremlin circles.
It is thought the Kremlin has become increasingly frustrated with high profile figures and their failures in the war.
Ukraine is targeting the bridge linking Crimea to Russia
Reuters
Zelensky said the bridge was a legitimate target because it was a military supply route for Russia
Reuters
Moscow has seen few breakthroughs in Ukraine, with Kyiv in the middle to a major counter offensive.
Just today, Ukraine launched a drone attack on a strategically important ammunition depot in Crimea.
No damage or casualties have been reported, but the attack forced Putin to briefly suspend road traffic on the bridge linking the peninsula to Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that the bridge was a legitimate target because it was a military supply route for Russia.
The loss of the bridge would be a major blow for Moscow's war efforts.