Moscow, May 4, 2026 — Russian President Vladimir Putin has dramatically increased his reliance on fortified underground bunkers, curtailing public appearances and travel as fears of assassination attempts — potentially involving drones — and internal coup plots intensify, according to reports citing European intelligence assessments.
A joint investigation published on May 4 by the independent Russian outlet Vazhnye Istorii (Important Stories), drawing from a secret report by an EU intelligence agency, reveals that the Kremlin has been on high alert since early March 2026. Putin is reportedly avoiding his usual residences near Moscow and in the Valdai region, instead operating for extended periods from modernized bunker facilities, particularly in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai on the Black Sea coast.
This pattern builds on habits developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine, but sources indicate a sharp escalation in concerns. State media has increasingly relied on pre-recorded footage to project an image of normalcy while Putin directs operations from these secure locations.
Heightened Security Measures
The Federal Protective Service (FSO) has tightened protocols significantly. Key changes include:
- Installing surveillance systems in the homes of close staffers.
- Banning presidential aides, chefs, bodyguards, and photographers from using public transport.
- Restricting mobile phones and internet-enabled devices near Putin.
- Implementing stricter two-layer screening for visitors.
Intelligence sources suggest Putin’s primary fears center on internal threats from Russian political elites rather than solely Ukrainian actions. There are specific concerns about drone-assisted assassination attempts orchestrated from within. Recent assassinations of senior Russian military figures have further fueled paranoia.
Broader Context
The report also notes rising tensions within Russian security services and concerns over leaks of sensitive information. Putin has reduced visits to military installations this year, and no State Duma deputies were invited to the Victory Day parade on Red Square — moves seen as indirect evidence of his isolation.
These developments come amid the grinding Ukraine conflict, where battlefield pressures and internal elite dynamics continue to strain the Kremlin. While the Russian government has not commented publicly on the claims, such reports are routinely dismissed by Moscow as Western or Ukrainian disinformation.
Analysts view this as part of a longer trend of Putin’s increasing detachment and bunker mentality, accelerated by wartime realities. Whether these fears reflect genuine vulnerabilities or heightened caution remains a subject of intense speculation in intelligence circles.
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