Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu appeared tense and tired as he was today shown on TV chairing a meeting as the Kremlin sought to dispel swirling rumours that he had suffered a heart attack.

The wax-faced 66-year-old army general, whose voice was rough and raspy, was reading from notes in an apparent crisis session to obtain more cash for his disastrous war from the Finance Ministry.

There was no immediate proof of when the televised Shoigu session broadcast took place, although it clearly referred to the ‘special military operation’ – Kremlin-speak for the war – underway in Ukraine.

There is also speculation that Shoigu had sought to resign at the start of the war – like other members of Vladimir Putin’s inner circle – but that his plea was rejected by the strongman.