Russia has launched footage of Protection Minister Sergei Shoigu following experiences he had been lacking for practically two weeks amid the nation's invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian state-owned information company RIA Novosti revealed video on-line displaying President Vladimir Putin talking to his advisers, with Shoigu showing on a display within the prime nook.

RIA Novosti mentioned that the assembly on Thursday was to debate the struggle in Ukraine and the sanctions imposed on Russia.

The video was launched after Agentstvo [The Agency], a Russian impartial investigative information outlet, detailed Wednesday how Shoigu, 66, one in all Vladimir Putin's closest allies, had not made an look in public since March 11.

Agentstvo additionally alleged that Russian state-run information used week-old footage when reporting how he offered army awards on March 18.

Earlier than the video was launched, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov advised reporters that the explanation Shoigu has not been making media appearances as he usually would do is as a result of he's too preoccupied with the continuing battle.

"Minister of Protection now has loads of worries, as you perceive. A particular army operation is underway," Peskov advised reporters when requested about Shoigu, RIA Novosti reported. "After all, now isn't fairly the time for media exercise. That is fairly comprehensible."

Peskov made the declare regardless of Shoigu making near-daily media appearances within the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine up till March 11.

Agentstvo mentioned a doable motive for Shoigu's absence was that he had fallen unwell with coronary heart issues. Some experiences have additionally recommended that he could also be beneath home arrest, together with others on the forefront of the fledgling invasion of Ukraine.

The Wall Road Journal reported on March 19 that a U.S. official had described as credible experiences that the commander of Russia's FSB intelligence company's unit liable for Ukraine had been positioned beneath home arrest. The official additionally mentioned bickering had damaged out between the FSB and the Russian Ministry of Protection because the invasion has stalled amid stiff Ukrainian resistance.

When requested in regards to the rumors that Shoigu was affected by coronary heart issues, Peskov mentioned: "You needn't hearken to the Agentstvo publication."

On Wednesday, the Pentagon mentioned U.S. Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin and Common Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of employees, have been desperately attempting to rearrange a telephone name with Shoigu and Russia's chief of the overall employees Valery Gerasimov—who has additionally not been seen since March 11—however the pair have "have to date declined to have interaction."

In its report, which was extensively shared in Russia on messaging service Telegram, Agentstvo reported that the Kremlin's web site mentioned Shoigu met with Putin together with members of his Safety Council to debate the battle in Ukraine on March 18.

Nonetheless, whereas Shoigu was reported to be current on the assembly, no photos or video of him had been posted on-line.

Shoigu's profile on the Ministry of Protection web site had additionally not been up to date since March 11.

Dmitry Treschanin, a Russian journalist at impartial outlet Mediazona, famous on Twitter that the final article about Shoigu to seem on RIA was from March 11.

Russia's Protection Ministry has been contacted for remark.

Sergei Shoigu missing
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu attends a press convention following a two-plus-two dialogue between the Defence and international ministers of Italy and Russia at Villa Madama, on February 18, 2020 in Rome, Italy.Antonio Masiello/Getty Photos