Vladimir Putin’s car was “attacked” in what may have been an assassination attempt amid the Ukraine war, according to an unconfirmed claim, writes The Daily Mail.

His limousine was hit by a “loud bang” on its “left front wheel followed by heavy smoke”, it is alleged.

The car drove to safety with Putin unharmed but there have been multiple arrests from his security service - while other bodyguards have vanished - amid claims that secret information about the 69-year-old ruler"s movements was compromised, says General SVR Telegram channel.

General SVR is a Russian Telegram channel which regularly posts alleged insider information about Putin and the Kremlin.

While some are sceptical of General SVR, others say it is one of the few prominent anti-Putin channels in Russia that provides an insight into the true goings-on at the Kremlin.

The same source claims in a separate post that Putin had ordered his glamorous lover Alina Kabaeva, 39, a former Olympic gymnast, to have an abortion, leading to a "worsening" of their relations.

It is not immediately possible to verify either extraordinary claim.