Top Putin official angers neighbours with freaky ‘shamanic ritual’ at Moscow home

Reports have emerged that Kremlin Security Council chief Sergei Shoigu has been putting on weird-sounding shamanic rituals at his swanky Moscow pad, much to the annoyance of neighbours

A key Vladimir Putin ally and one of his senior officials has reportedly been organising shamanic rituals in Moscow.

Former Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who now heads the Kremlin’s secretive Security Council, has long been considered one of Putin’s closest confidants, with the pair even holidaying together in Siberia. But after a reported fall out between the pair, rumours are swirling that Shoigu has descended into the weird world of shamanic rituals.

Neighbours have been reportedly complaining of creepy-sounding practices going on at the 71-year-old’s home. According to reports emerging on Telegram, individuals living close to Shoigu have spotted strange things taking place at a property belonging to Shoigu in Moscow’s expensive Rublevo-Uspenskoye district.

One reportedly described “loud noise”, “shouting” and “thick, acrid smoke”. A source said: “Someone even tried to politely inquire about what was happening, but there were no explanations.

“Through the staff, it was discovered that several shamans were brought in, and they are living there, performing rituals with drums and other items in the early morning.

“And in the process, they are burning some fragrant plants. No one knows how long this will continue.” Shoigu has been blamed before for introducing Putin to shaman practices and the world of occult and pagan mystics.

“What the shamans are requesting for Shoigu is unknown,” reported Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, which many believes has links to the Russian secret service itself.

As Defence Minister, Shoigu sent tens of thousands of Russian soldiers to their deaths in the war in Ukraine, while his troops were accused of using torture, sexual violence and executions against Ukrainians.

He was fired by Putin and sent to head the Security Council but many of Shoigu’s closest allies have been arrested and jailed on corruption and embezzlement charges.

The council is a Kremlin body that advises Putin on national security, defence, foreign policy and internal stability, and plays a key role coordinating the war in Ukraine, nuclear policy, relations with the West and Moscow’s response to ‘domestic threats’.

In 2024, the Kremlin was forced to deny claims that Putin had met shamans during a visit to Mongolia amid rumours that he had sought their blessing for the possible use of nuclear weapons.

Shamans are believed by some to have access to, and influence in, the world of spirits, through rituals, trance, visions, and healing practices. Shoigu is from the remote mountainous Siberian region of Tuva where belief in shamanism remains strong.