Media: Russian authorities intensify security measures around Putin and his inner circle, focusing on preventing drone assassination attempts

With Russian President Vladimir Putin increasingly isolated and fully immersed in the war in Ukraine, Russian authorities have tightened security around him to prevent assassination. In recent months, the Federal Protective Service (FSO), responsible for guarding high-ranking officials, has significantly ramped up protection for Putin. According to The Financial Times, citing informed sources in Moscow and a person close to European intelligence agencies, Putin now spends more time deep underground directing the war in minute detail, while having fewer contacts with civilian affairs.

In recent years, Putin’s isolation has intensified, especially after the outbreak of the pandemic. However, according to the source close to European intelligence, concerns about coups or assassination attempts—particularly those involving drones—have sharply increased since March this year within the Kremlin.

A person familiar with Putin told the newspaper: "The impact of Ukraine’s 'Spider Web' drone operation still lingers." Last year, Ukrainian intelligence used drones to attack Russian air bases beyond the Arctic Circle.

Another individual well-acquainted with Putin said that the U.S. January arrest of Venezuelan President Maduro across borders further heightened security concerns. In response, the FSO has reinforced security measures. A source close to European intelligence noted that Putin has reduced his number of visits abroad, and security checks for people meeting him have become stricter.

The report states that Putin and his family have stopped visiting their residences in Moscow Oblast and the northwestern Valday region. Instead, Putin is spending more time in underground shelters—including one located in Krasnodar in southern Russia—where he has worked remotely for weeks, while state media broadcasts pre-recorded footage to create an illusion of normalcy.

Putin’s close personal staff, including chefs, photographers, and bodyguards, are banned from using public transportation and prohibited from carrying mobile phones or other internet-connected devices near the president. Their homes are also equipped with surveillance systems.

According to Russian sources familiar with Putin, recent network outages in Moscow are at least partly linked to presidential security and anti-drone protection. According to European intelligence, FSO agents are currently conducting large-scale inspections using specially trained detection dogs and are stationed along the banks of the Moscow River, ready to respond to potential drone attacks. The Kremlin has not yet commented.

The security risks are not limited to Putin alone. According to the same source close to European intelligence, at a recent meeting between senior security officials and Putin, representatives blamed each other for failing to protect top military officers. This includes Lieutenant General Salvarov, head of operations training at the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, who died in a car explosion in Moscow last December—the latest in a series of recent attacks linked to Ukraine.

Russian Federal Security Chief Alexander Bortnikov attributed the failure to the Ministry of Defense, noting that unlike other agencies, it lacks a dedicated department specifically tasked with protecting high-ranking officials. Meanwhile, Viktor Zolotov, commander-in-chief of the National Guard and a former bodyguard of Putin, denied responsibility, citing limited resources.

Ultimately, Putin called on all parties to remain calm and assigned the FSO the responsibility for securing 10 senior generals, including three deputies of the Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov. Previously, Gerasimov was the only senior officer to enjoy such protection.

Two individuals who have spoken with Putin said that the enhanced security measures coincide with Putin shifting focus from traditional geopolitics toward the war in Ukraine. Putin meets regularly with military officials daily, concentrating on operational details such as the names of small Ukrainian villages changing hands. In contrast, officials unrelated to the war typically see the president only once every few weeks or months.

One person familiar with Putin said: "Putin spends 70% of his time directing this war, and the remaining 30% is devoted to meeting figures like the President of Indonesia or handling economic issues." The individual added that the only way to gain greater access to Putin is through "more war."

Putin’s growing detachment from the outside world has fueled increasing frustration among ordinary Russians, who are weary of the war in Ukraine and struggling with worsening domestic problems. Official and independent polling shows Putin’s approval ratings have dropped to their lowest level since autumn 2022, when he announced partial mobilization, prompting hundreds of thousands of young men to flee the country.

Social media is filled with videos from ordinary Russians and influencers criticizing authorities for suppressing online freedom, imposing taxes on small businesses, and selectively culling livestock in Siberia. Among the most notable is Viktoria Bonya, a lifestyle blogger living in Monaco. Last month, she delivered an 18-minute video message directly to Putin, saying, "People are afraid of him." The video received over 1.5 million likes.

Although Bonya explicitly stated she does not oppose the regime, the massive reach of her video forced the Kremlin to admit they had seen it. After her complaint, Putin publicly addressed online suppression for the first time, urging officials to "fully inform the public" and not focus solely on bans.

On April 27, Putin made his second public appearance this year, visiting an artistic gymnastics school in his hometown of St. Petersburg. A video released by the Kremlin showed him briefly interacting with a group of girls dressed in black leotards, ending with him kissing the forehead of one girl. The Kremlin has long used such interactions with ordinary citizens to project Putin’s approachable image.

So far this year, Putin’s travel and meetings have been extremely limited, compared to at least 17 scheduled events planned for 2025—further indicating tighter security and diminished attention to domestic affairs. Last year, his itinerary included visits to Kursk Oblast, bordering Ukraine, and at least five occasions where he appeared in military uniforms at defense headquarters.

Source: rfi

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1864279421885513/

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