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A suspicious fire has ‘severely’ damaged the house of Vladimir Putin’s cousin just 125 miles southeast of Moscow.
Videos show flames rising from the building home of Roman Putin, 45, who is currently sanctioned by many Western countries for his links to the Russian president.
The cause of the inferno in Ryazan is under investigation by law enforcement amid suspicions of sabotage.
It is the second property linked to the controversial businessman to be destroyed – previously, a hotel where Roman had offices in remote Novy Urengoy was targeted in successive arson attacks, causing £8 million in damage.
It remains unclear if the arson was linked to opposition to Vladimir Putin or his war in Ukraine.
Roman is the son of Putin’s first cousin Igor Putin, to whom the house was officially registered.
Firefighters were seen trying to stop the inferno (Picture: East2West News)
Roman Putin was not home at the time it broke out (Picture: East2West News)
Roman’s son was at the property when the blaze began and escaped without injury.
Like the dictator, Roman began his career in the secret service, serving in the FSB once headed by Vladimir Putin.
He switched to local government before founding a company called Putin Consulting to trade on the famous family name.
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He founded a party called People Against Corruption and has unsuccessfully run for a seat in parliament.
While arson is being considered as a possible cause, investigators examining the cause of the Putin home blaze said faulty wiring may also be responsible.
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Investigators are considering arson as a possible cause.