Kremlin Disputes Reports Russian Defense Minister Has Gone Missing

Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, escorted by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, right, and General Staff Valery Gerasimov walk after attending an extended meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry Board at the National Defense Control Center in Moscow, Russia, on Dec. 21, 2021. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

The Kremlin has disputed reports and speculation that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was missing amid the weeks-long conflict in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also told reporters Thursday that Shiogu hasn’t been seen in public appearances because he doesn’t have time.

“The Minister of Defense now has a lot of worries. A special military operation is underway,” Peskov said, referring to Russia’s description of the conflict in Ukraine. “Of course, now is not quite the time for media activity, this is quite understandable,” he said in response to a question about Shoigu’s health and whereabouts.

Responding to allegations that Shiogu is suffering from undisclosed health problems, Peskov said, “You don’t need to listen to the Agentstvo” publication, which made the claims. “Contact the Ministry of Defense.”

On Thursday, footage of Shoigu was released by state-run RIA Novosti, showing him speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other advisers, according to Reuters. Shoigu was seen in the top corner of a screen that Putin was using, while RIA Novosti said that “Putin listened to Shoigu’s report” as “the Minister of defense of the Russian Federation reported to the president on the progress of the special operation in Ukraine.”

Until March 11, Shoigu made near-daily media appearances in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began Feb 24, according to reports. During a televised Security Council Meeting, Shoigu told Putin on March 11 that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was being carried out smoothly.

“All is going according to the plan, we report to you here every day this week,” Shoigu said at the time. Western officials have said that Moscow has faced significant resistance from Ukraine’s forces.

When meeting on Thursday, Shoigu provided an update to Putin Russia’s Security Council about Russia’s operation in Ukraine, the Reuters news agency reported, citing the Kremlin. No other details about the update were provided.

It comes as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that a Polish government-backed proposal to send NATO peacekeepers to Ukraine would backfire. NATO leaders are scheduled to meet on the Ukraine-Russia conflict Thursday.

“Our Polish colleagues have already stated that there will be a NATO summit now, and peacekeepers should be deployed,“ Lavrov said Wednesday, reported state-run media. ”I hope they understand what is at stake. This will be a direct clash between the Russian and NATO armed forces, which everyone not only wanted to avoid but said that it should never take place in principle.”

The Russian Defense Ministry has been contacted for comment.