Air defenses have been deployed near Vladimir Putin’s forest palace just days after missiles were deployed from his official residence near Moscow, in the latest sign the Russian leader fears a direct attack from Ukraine.
A Pantsir-S1 defense system was stationed near the Valdai presidential palace in Yascherovo, a village halfway between Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Similar systems were set up near Putin’s official residence in Novo-Ogarevo last week, apparently to protect him from Ukrainian drones or missiles.
Russia has also deployed Pantsir-S1 and S-400 “Triumf” air defense systems across Moscow, fearing an all-out attack on the capital.
A Pantsir-S1 defense system has been deployed near Putin’s Valdai presidential palace (left) in Yascherovo, a village halfway between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Similar systems were deployed at Putin’s Novo-Ogarevo headquarters last week (right), apparently to protect him from Ukrainian drones or missiles
In the most recent deployment, Russia deployed a Pantsir-S1 defense system near Putin’s Valdai presidential palace (pictured) to protect him and his family from long-range Ukrainian attacks
It comes after two suspected Ukrainian drone strikes on two air bases deep in Russia in December that damaged two nuclear-capable bombers believed to be preparing to attack Ukraine.
In the recent deployment, Russia deployed a Pantsir-S1 defense system near Putin’s Valdai Palace to “protect” him and his family from long-range Ukrainian attacks, according to Russian media outlet Agentstvo Novosti.
Putin’s alleged lover Alina Kabaeva, 39, is known to favor the lavish hideout in Valdai, in the Novgorod region. It is believed that he and Kabaeva have a young family, which for reasons of secrecy has never been seen.
According to the report, three soldiers are constantly in the vicinity of the system, which has a rotating radar antenna.
Similar systems were installed last week six miles from Putin’s official residence on the outskirts of Moscow and at prime downtown locations.
“These air defense systems protect President Vladimir Putin and his family from a possible Ukrainian attack,” the report said.
“This conclusion can be made after the air defense system appeared near the Valdai presidential residence.
“There are simply no other protected areas than the apartment.”
The Pantsir system is designed to protect government and industrial facilities from aircraft, helicopters, precision munitions, cruise missiles and military drones.
The rocket launchers also appeared on the roof of the Russian Defense Ministry’s National Defense Management Center on Frunzenskaya Embankment, the command center of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
A Pantsir missile system is deployed atop a building in Moscow, Russia. The installations suggest Kremlin officials fear the capital could be attacked
Pictured: A Pantsir missile system (circled) at Russia’s National Defense Management Center – the command base of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine – at Frunzenskaya Embankment in Moscow
A video showed the same powerful system being lifted onto a roof on Teterinsky Lane in the Taganka district, a mile and a half from the Kremlin.
The military informant for the pro-Russian Telegram channel said the operation was an admission that Moscow, home to 12 million people, was now vulnerable and showed that “the military was afraid of a possible strike”.
Photos of the modern S-400 anti-missile defense system also surfaced on Wednesday in two locations, one in fields of the Timiryazev Agricultural Academy northwest of the city, another on Losiny Island in a national park to the northeast where trees were cut down for the installation.
The S-400 “Triumf” system was designed to destroy aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles. It can also be used on ground targets.
On Wednesday, photos of the modern S-400 anti-missile defense system appeared in two places
The S-400 “Triumf” air defense system is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles. It can also be used against ground targets
Putin has deployed Russia’s fearsome S-400 anti-missile missiles in the capital amid fears Ukraine could launch attacks on the city
It is not known whether Putin’s Valday Palace has underground bunkers.
But it does have a three-story spa complex with a “personal beauty salon” nicknamed the “temple of his asceticism.”
Two floors are hidden underground and contain a cryochamber for extreme cold therapy and a mud bath in a 7,000 square foot relaxation facility.
The spa also offers massage baths, while there’s a 25-meter pool surrounded by hot tubs, as well as saunas, a Turkish bath, and a Thai massage platform.
The sprawling lakeside property seen on drone footage includes a stable, golf course, mini-golf course, VIP restaurant with cinema, bowling, billiards room and even a mini-casino.
The complex has been dubbed Putin’s “most secret official dacha”.
The house is close to important Orthodox churches that Putin is said to have visited in times of crisis during his 23 years as president or prime minister.
Putin also boasts a separate £1 billion palace on a Black Sea cliff, which features a vineyard and a “striptease” room with a stage and a bar for performers.
There are rumors that Putin and his young family, including former Olympic gymnast Kabaeva, are now usually stationed in one of several secret bunker complexes.
It is not known if Putin’s Valdai Palace (pictured) has underground bunkers. But it does have a three-story spa complex with a “personal beauty salon,” nicknamed “the temple of his asceticism.”
The children were not introduced to the Russian people, and the mysterious Putin has never confirmed his relationship with Kabaeva.
Ukraine is believed to be trying to extend its range with missiles and drones in Russia. According to one report, the Sokol-300 Punisher drone could hit targets deep in Russia at a range of up to 2,050 miles.
It has a payload of 300 kg and can carry guided missiles.
So far, Kyiv has hit regions bordering its territory but has conducted limited airstrikes in Russia, although various explosions and fires at power plants and shopping malls could mean Ukraine has sabotage capabilities.
Two suspected Ukrainian drone strikes hit two air bases in Saratov and Ryazan in December.
The Engels-2 airbase near the city of Saratov was hit by an explosion during an airstrike in December, damaging two Tu-95 bombers used in airstrikes on Ukraine’s infrastructure.
The base is about 450 miles from the nearest point in Ukraine.
Another blast hit the Russian military base at Dyagilevo near the town of Ryazan, some 470 miles from the Ukrainian border, killing three people after a tanker truck blew up.
Despite several attacks by Russia on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, Moscow has not yet been hit.