A small band of Moscow’s elite is plotting to topple Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian intelligence officials claim.
Among the conspiracies being considered are poisoning or an “accident”, according to Kyiv sources.
The members of the cell, who have kept their opposition to the Russian leader secret, are believed to want spy master Alexander Bortnikov, 70, to lead Russia.
He has fallen out of favour with Putin over errors before and during the war.
A Western source said there is “significant suspicion” a small group of plotters will try to get rid of the Russian president.
The cell wants the change as soon as possible, Ukrainian intelligence says.
Putin has sacked eight generals to divert blame from himself as the war drags on.
The paranoid leader has publicly ranted about “traitors” he suspects of being disloyal, possibly by leaking information.
The plotters picked Bortnikov as they believe he could spearhead the restoration of economic ties with the West, according to Ukrainian intelligence.
Members of the elite are increasingly worried about Russia being a pariah state, and having their houses, bank accounts and yachts seized – and their ability to travel and do business hampered.
Bortnikov is head of Russia’s FSB spy agency and is believed to have a network of insiders living in Ukraine.
The ruthless career spy has long been one of Putin’s closest aides, but it is thought Putin is furious with him for allowing Russia to be wrong-footed by the ferocious Ukrainian fighting.
An FSB boss was sacked over errors before the invasion, and Bortnikov has been left in disgrace with Putin.
A Ukrainian intelligence source said recently: “The official reason for the disgrace of [Bortnikov] is the fatal miscalculations in the war.
“Bortnikov and his department were responsible for analysing the mood of Ukraine and the ability of the Ukrainian army.”
It is also suspected that tip-offs from Putin’s inner circle of spies have helped Ukraine ambush the invaders and foil the numerous attempts to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The claims of a plot to topple Putin come from information leaked by Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence Main Intelligence Directorate.
A Western source told the Mirror last night: “There is no doubt that as the Russian elite feel the pinch of sanctions they will look at the future with an eye on what a catastrophe this war is for them.
“There is a significant suspicion a small number of people might try to get rid of [Putin]. They are being given an awful lot of encouragement by influential figures in the West.”
The Mirror also understands Russian diplomats may have been offered a safe future in the West if they publicly denounce Putin and the war.
Ukrainian military officials last night said a fresh wave of Putin loyalists is attempting to kill Zelensky.
It is claimed thugs from Putin’s mercenary Wagner Group are arriving in Ukraine to try to assassinate Ukraine’s president and its prime minister Denys Shmyhal.
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