Putin's 'eyes and ears' dies in mysterious circumstances after breaking neck

A retired official, described as "eyes and ears" has died after falling down the stairs of his country house and breaking his neck.

Konstantin Romodanovsky, a former head of the Federal Migration Service, had close links with influential figures in the , including Putin himself.

According to Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, the seconded secret services officer had "incriminating documents on current politicians, businessmen and employees of the secret service agencies."

At the time of his death, Romodanovsky was serving on the boards of companies controlled by the powerful FSB secret service.

No further information has been given on , but he is the latest in a long line of influential Russians close to the centre of power to die in mysterious circumstances.

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.

In recent years, powerful figures and opponents of the regime have fallen from windows, down stairs or choked on food.

Former FSB colonel and Putin's spy chief Maksim Yeremin choked to death on a piece of meat whilst Russian general Magomed Khandayev, seen as a key witness in a corruption scandal shrouding the Russia's ministry of defence amid Putin's illegal war against Ukraine, died in unexplained circumstances.