Russian official close to Putin mysteriously dies 'after falling down his stairs and breaking his neck'

A retired senior Russian official close to both Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin's secret services has reportedly died after falling down the stairs of his country house and breaking his neck.

Former director of the Federal Migration Service, Konstantin Romodanovsky, 67, died 'under very strange circumstances,' said Telegram channel VChK-OGPU.

It also said he had 'incriminating documents on many current politicians, businessmen and employees of the [secret service] agencies.'

Romondanovsky had for years acted as Putin's 'eyes and ears' in several government departments - notably the Interior Ministry while always remaining a seconded secret services officer.

He was also active, serving on the boards of companies controlled by the powerful FSB secret service.

Several causes of death were today speculated on by the Russian media - hepatitis C, heart problems, complications from diabetes, or a simple fall, perhaps while intoxicated.

A source told the channel: 'Perhaps his death is related to his latest intoxication and he simply lost his balance.

'However, such 'accidents' have happened to several well-known businessmen and high-ranking FSB employees who were closely connected with the so-called St. Petersburg-Petrozavodsk group.

'In any case, Konstantin Romodanovsky will not tell anything more.'

Leading pro-Putin Russian MP Alexander Khinshtein reported his 'tragic' death and said:

'I can't believe it.

'I spoke with him just last week. He was full of energy and plans.'

There has been no official statement on the cause of his demise but it is the latest of dozens of mysterious deaths during Putin's war against Ukraine.