Vladimir Putin could be seeing the jackals closing in on him, with leaked intelligence indicating that a 'group of influential' people in Russia's elite are formulating a plan to topple the two-time president.
The Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine claims they have intercepted information that indicates Kremlin insiders are plotting to be rid of the president as soon as possible, according to The Mirror.
The Chief Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine revealed the plan is to end his life quickly by 'poisoning, sudden disease, or any other 'coincidence'.'
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Dissidence within Kremlin officials has reportedly emerged up after crippling global sanctions, both political and commercial.
Intelligence suggests the massive losses incurred by Chechen forces in Ukraine's north may have triggered the alleged plot.
The Ukrainian intelligence service claims that a successor to Putin has already been chosen in the form of FSB director Alexander Bortnikov.
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"It is known that Bortnikov and some other influential representatives of the Russian elite are considering various options to remove Putin from power," the Chief Directorate of Intelligence said.
"In particular, poisoning, sudden disease, or any other 'coincidence' is not excluded."
The agency suggested that the losses incurred by Chechen forces in the north of the country may have influenced the alleged plot.
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According to a Facebook post from Ukraine's Chief Directorate of Intelligence, the official reason for the Putin's downfall is his miscalculations in the war against Ukraine.
The alleged plan is to replace him with Federal Security Service boss Alexander Bortnikov.
Russia's domestic security agency took over from the infamously brutal KGB after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Bortnikov plays a major role in maintaining order in Putin's Russia, with the agency responsible for everything from counter-terrorism to border security, counterintelligence, electronic surveillance.
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Bortnikov and Putin have known each other since the 1970s when they both served in the Leningrad KGB, according to The Guardian.
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Topics: Russia
Rachel Lang