Russia denies defense minister had heart attack as he reappears after 2-week absence

MOSCOW — Russia’s defense minister reappears on television images broadcast today, after his two-week absence from view prompted questions from journalists.

The defense ministry publishes a video showing Sergei Shoigu, a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, chairing a meeting on Russia’s defense procurement.

No dates accompany the images on state television, but Shoigu refers to a finance ministry meeting that took place yesterday.

The minister says arms orders and supplies are taking place as planned “despite difficulties we are having today” from the Western sanctions imposed after Putin sent troops to Ukraine on February 24.

Some Russian media reports have speculated that Shoigu could have health problems.

The defense ministry denies reports that Shoigu had suffered a heart attack and was in the hospital.

Writing on messaging app Telegram, the ministry says today that reports saying that Shoigu was recovering at Moscow’s Burdenko military hospital were “obviously fake.”

In early March, Russia imposed prison terms of up to 15 years for publishing “fake” news about the army.

Earlier this week, the Kremlin referred to a conversation between the minister and Putin on the occasion of a report on developments of the “special military operation” at a meeting of the Russian security council, brushing aside speculation about Shoigu’s prolonged absence.

Shoigu had last appeared in public on March 11 despite his leading role in Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.