Why is Sergei Shoigu being accused of a Putin putsch plot?
This Is Why
Sky News
4.0 • 552 Ratings
🗓️ 8 May 2026
⏱️ 19 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
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
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Sky News, the full story first. |
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| 0:39.5 | In 1987, a newborn baby is abandoned in a remote spot. |
| 0:44.9 | Nobody goes down that lane. Why would you think anyone would have picked me up from there? |
| 0:48.8 | For decades, Jess has searched for answers. Why didn't that person want me? |
| 0:53.7 | But as she gets closer to the truth, |
| 0:55.8 | things spiral out of her control. I think I'll always be angry. Could it have ended differently? |
| 1:01.3 | From Tortoise Investigates and the observer, this is foundling. Lies always come out, don't they? |
| 1:07.2 | Skeletons are always going to come out eventually. |
| 1:12.7 | There are reports coming out of Russia |
| 1:14.5 | of a plot to get rid of Vladimir Putin, |
| 1:17.0 | but all might not be entirely as it seems, |
| 1:20.1 | and this is why. |
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| 1:38.2 | so you might want to spare a thought for Vladimir Putin. |
... |
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