Putin's protection really looks like. “Unacceptable even in a nightmare”
While ordinary Russians still bear the greatest costs of Putin's war, the Kremlin and Security Services organized this PR action to convince public opinion that Putin is also devoted to the country, which in an interview with The Moscow Times, provided that four present and former Russian officials confirmed.
“Russians, dear my, look. President Putin suffers himself, is tormented, and even risks his own life. Your problems are trifles. You have to clench your teeth and withstand,” said one of the Russian officials, describing the intended message of this message.
Putin actually stayed on May 21 in Kurski Oblast, where according to the Kremlin he traveled by a helicopter.
Although this circuit is still regularly attacked by Ukraine, The Moscow Times sources say Putin's safety has been ensured at the highest level.
“Nobody would ever allow such a shameful neglect.” Even in a sleepy nightmare – said one of the government officials familiar with the issue of the president's security.
– In fact, Putin does not want to risk. What we shout loudly on television is only a show. On the contrary, more and more funds are undertaken to ensure the safety of the boss – said another official who worked both in the government and in the Kremlin.
Several Russian officials who participated in events with Putin's participation this year described his protection as “exceptional”, with strict control of everything from travel routes to the health of the people accompanying people.
– If in 2025 I had to undergo a PCR test not only on Covid, but also on acute respiratory tract infections and flu, what are we talking about? – recalls one of the participants of the event with Putin about security measures.
Unbelievable evidence
The Ministry of Defense used the state media to disseminate sensational information that the president's helicopter allegedly found itself “in the epicentrum of repelling the massive attack of enemy drones”.
Putin's journey took place in a strict secret and was made public only after his return to Moscow.
The reporter of the “Kommiersant” daily Andrey Kolecnikov, a long -time member of the circle of accredited journalists at the Kremlin, also mentioned the alleged attack on Putin's helicopter in his account of this journey.
However, as the Moscow Times found out, Koleców was not in Kursk. His article was based on second -hand relations and did not contain clear information about his absence. He only noted that he saw “Ukrainian military drones on a video recording.”
The Kremlin journalists' corps was not invited to this trip with Putin, as did the Kremlin camera professional operators. According to two sources with knowledge about the visit, filming was dealt with by other people, including at least one security officer.
The difference was noticeable in the official film published by the Kremlin, which lacked high quality sound and image, typical of film materials from events involving the president.
– Everything is different here – told the journalist of The Moscow Times Camera Operator of Russian State Television, analyzing the film material.
-The camera moves and shakes-not only in the Kursk-2 power plant being built, but also during meetings with the region's governor and volunteers who acted-said the camera operator. – The sound is recorded using an external camera microphone, which means that it is not clean enough and you can often hear noise in the background.
Below is a fragment of a recording from a meeting with volunteers:
Tricks, mystery and lack of trust
The actor's actual protection is much more extensive than public opinion is informed about it in Russia. Each journey requires the involvement of hundreds of officers of various services, including the President's Security Service (SBP), FSB, the National Guard and the Ministry of the Interior.
To hide the movement of the president, such “tricks” are used as spare convoys, parallel routes, specialized equipment and planes-products.
– Putin travels in such a secret that even intelligence officers often do not know his exact place of stay – said Witalij Brizaty, a former officer of the Federal Security Service (FSO) who left Russia after the invasion of Ukraine.
– He doesn't even trust his people [służbom bezpieczeństwa]. He trusts only the immediate surroundings – he said.
According to “The Moscow Times”, Putin's travels are planned several months in advance, and the security services check in detail all possible locations and routes. Various emergency plans are always prepared.
Putin never flies alone, especially near combat zones. Even during “civil” travels not related to the war, the presidential plane usually escort military fighters.
“They sell it beautifully”
– If that's all [rzekome ataki ukraińskich dronów na prezydencki helikopter] It really happened, the president was threatened not only by the hostile drones. There was a real danger that his helicopter could be accidentally shot down by Russian air defense – said one of the Russian officials.
Military expert Ivan Stupak, a former officer of the Ukrainian Security Service, successor to the Soviet KGB in Kiev, said that the alleged incident would be a glaring defeat of the SBP.
“All employees of the President's and FSO Security Service should be dismissed,” said The Moscow Times.
Instead, Stupak sees a coordinated media action, which benefits many institutions at the same time. Putin appears as a fearless, almost heroic leader, and security services are praised for its action in extremely dangerous conditions.
– [Najwyżsi funkcjonariusze SBP] They build their career, formally exaggerating a threat to a protected person – said The Moscow Times Andrei Sołatow, an independent investigative journalist and expert on Russian special services. “And they sell it beautifully,” he concluded.
