Vladimir Putin allegedly fortifying 'secret winter residence' so family can 'sleep more soundly'

A Russian opposition media group have shared a video allegedly showing an air defense system being installed near one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's homes.

Putin protecting his Sochi and Valdai residences

Navalny Live shared the video on Monday 3 April to its YouTube channel. The clip reportedly shows a Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile system being installed near Putin's vacation home in Sochi. Navalny Live is run by Alexei Navalny’s team, the renowned opposition leader who has been imprisoned in Russia since February 2021.

The residence is located in Krasnaya Polyana, a suburb of Sochi. Georgy Alburov from the Navalny Team explains in the video that the palatial home is actually owned by Gazprom, the Russian state-owned energy corporation, however its also 'Putin’s secret winter residence'.It is allegedly a ski resort: 'This is the place where he [Putin] goes skiing'.

In January 2023, Agentstvo, an independent Russian media outlet now known as Proekt, reported that the samePantsir-S1 system was stationedclose to Putin’s secret palace in Valdai, in the Novgorod region.

The week earlier, several government buildings in Moscow and Putin's official residence nearby, described as his second home, also received air defense systems, according to Metro.

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Putin is 'paranoid' even if he's trying not to appear so

Alburov also said that although Putin presents himself as a fearless leader, he is actually a 'paranoid' person, which is the reason why air defense systems have been installed near his homes - to protect himself from a potential missile strike.

The video has not been verified. However, Guy McCardle, managing editor of Special Operations Forces Report (SOFREP), told Newsweek that the Navalny Live report appears credible. He said:

There's no way he does not have both defensive and offensive capabilities near his many residences or anywhere he will be spending a substantial period of time. Chances are he'd hide the ones around his homes as discreetly as possible so as not to appear paranoid, but they are there.

McCardle added:

They are there to protect him and his family.

In terms of the capability of the air defense systems, he said:

As a part of a coordinated air defense system, I think these would be extremely effective at knocking drones, missiles, helicopters and even fighter jets out of the sky. The Putins can definitely sleep more soundly with a couple of these parked around their property.

Sources used:

Newsweek: 'Air Defenses Being Installed Near Putin's Sochi Home, Oppositionists Claim'

The New Voice of Ukraine: 'Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft system set-up to protect Putin’s Sochi residence — Navalny’s investigative team'

Newsweek: 'Defense System Put Near Putin Home Amid Fear of Long-Range Attack: Report'

Metro: 'Putin’s paranoia grows after ‘putting up air defences close to his secret palace'