Panic in Russia as Putin unleashes purge of Kremlin elite

Putin appears to have unleashed a purge of the Kremlin elite (Image: Getty)

Vladimir Putin has unleashed a crackdown on top businessmen and government officials in a new purge that has sent shockwaves through Russia's elite. The Kremlin tyrant moved against one of Russia's wealthiest businessmen and a number of military officials.

Gold tycoon Konstantin Strukov was prevented from flying to Turkey from Russia by security officials. His passport was reportedly seized and the aircraft barred from departing, after officers boarded the plane. Photos posted to social media channels seemingly appear to show the oligarch sitting resigned in a plush seat as officers read him a court order barring him for leaving the country.

Konstantin Strukov was stopped from leaving Russia (Image: X social media)

However, his company denied the incident entirely, stating that he was in Moscow on the day in question and calling the reports "disinformation."

Strukov is the founder of Yuzhuralzoloto - a gold empire built over decades with strong ties to the Kremlin.

The oligarch is estimated to have a fortune worth over US$3.5 billion (£2.6billion) but is currently embroiled in a legal case.

Prosecutors claim his assets were obtained through corrupt schemes involving shell companies, family members and insiders.

As punishment, they are demanding the confiscation of all his holdings - in effect a nationalisation of his assets.

A court hearing scheduled for July 8 will determine the fate of his business empire.

Meanwhile, a former top official of Russia’s National Guard has been arrested on suspicion of bribery and abuse of power.

Viktor Strigunov - a former first deputy director of the National Guard until late 2023 - was taken into custody on Monday.

Among the charges he faces, he is accused of accepting over 66 million rubles (£617,000) in bribes from representatives of private companies between 2012 and 2014.

In recent months, several high-profile business figures have been hit with sudden legal trouble, "unexpected" deaths, or state-backed asset takeovers.

Last week, a top Russian oil executive was killed after falling from a window in a Moscow tower block in an apparent suicide.