Vladimir Putin has reportedly tightened security around his movements and residences after claims of a threat near his Novgorod home. The measures reflect rising concern in the Kremlin over senior officials’ vulnerability as the Ukraine war intensifies.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly stepped up security around his movements and residences amid growing concerns within the Kremlin over possible assassination attempts linked to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to international media reports citing leaked European intelligence assessments, Russian authorities have introduced heightened security measures following claims that Ukraine attempted to target Putin near his private residence in the Novgorod region.
The allegations remain unverified, and both US intelligence officials and Kyiv have rejected claims that the Russian president was directly targeted, reports said.
Reports suggest Putin has significantly reduced visits to his residences in Moscow Oblast and Valdai in Novgorod Oblast as security agencies reassess potential threats. The developments are said to have triggered alarm within Russia’s political and military establishment, particularly amid increasing long-range drone and missile attacks linked to the conflict in Ukraine.
The Kremlin’s concerns reportedly intensified after the killing of Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov in December. The senior Russian military officer died after a bomb planted beneath his car exploded in what Russian authorities described as a targeted assassination.
Security analysts believe the combination of the alleged threat near Putin’s residence and the killing of Sarvarov has heightened fears that senior Russian officials and military figures could become increasingly vulnerable to attacks.
As part of the expanded precautions, Putin’s security team has reportedly tightened access to the Russian leader through stricter screening procedures, increased surveillance and enhanced anti-drone protection around official compounds and travel routes. Reports also suggest that the president has scaled back public appearances and non-essential travel in recent months.
Leaked intelligence documents cited by European media outlets claim Russia’s Federal Protective Service (FSO) has imposed additional restrictions on personnel working close to Putin, including tighter monitoring and communication controls for members of the presidential security apparatus.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged that heightened precautions were being taken due to what he described as ongoing “terrorist threats” and the growing capability of Ukrainian long-range strikes.
While many of the reported threats and intelligence claims remain independently unverified, the developments underscore growing security anxieties inside the Kremlin as the conflict with Ukraine continues to intensify.
