Experts Reveal How Putin Conceals His True Location

A new investigation by the research unit Systema has unveiled that Russian President Vladimir Putin employs identical replicas of his offices across various locations in Russia to obscure his actual whereabouts. This strategy aims to mitigate the risk of potential attacks. The findings suggest that at least three identical workspaces exist in different residences: near Moscow in Novo-Ogarjovo, in Sochi on the Black Sea, and at the forest residence of Valdai, located between Moscow and St. Petersburg.

To substantiate their claims, researchers analyzed approximately 700 video recordings and scrutinized leaked travel logs of Putin’s entourage to determine his real location during meetings officially attributed to Novo-Ogarjovo. Their investigation revealed that many of these meetings actually occurred hundreds of kilometers away, predominantly at Valdai, a residence increasingly favored by Putin since the onset of the war in Ukraine.

Identical Office Spaces with Subtle Differences

Analysts from Systema meticulously compared the interiors of these supposedly identical spaces and identified a number of nearly imperceptible differences. These include:

– The height of seams on wall coverings,
– The positioning and height of door handles,
– The shape and color of television stands,
– The number of ventilation ducts on ceilings,
– The location of thermostats.

In one instance, a journalist on a state television propaganda program in 2020 entered through a door in one room and exited a different room, which, according to Systema’s findings, does not exist in the same city. Researchers distinguished the spaces based on minor variations in the height of door handles.

Systema asserts that most meetings the Kremlin presented this year as taking place in Novo-Ogarjovo were actually filmed at Valdai, a residence surrounded by lakes, forests, and well-guarded access points. Reports indicate that Kabaeva, Putin’s partner, and their children also reside in Valdai, making it considerably more challenging for Ukrainian drones to target.

Satellite imagery from summer 2024 revealed that at least 12 Pantsir-S1 systems were deployed around Valdai Lake, while the entire metropolitan area of Moscow, with over 20 million residents, is covered by approximately 60 such systems.

Increased Security Measures Amid Attack Fears

In light of escalating fears surrounding attacks, Putin, who already possesses bunkers in all his residences, has intensified security protocols following a series of Ukrainian drone strikes, including those near the Kremlin and his Black Sea complex. Previous investigations by the opposition media outlet Proekt alleged that Putin even demolished his summer residence, Bočarov Ručej, out of fear of strikes.

Russian analyst Konstantin Gaze commented on the security logic behind these measures, stating, “It would not appear appropriate to place Pantsirs on the towers of the Kremlin… Therefore, Valdai has naturally become the main location.”

Gaze also likened Putin’s behavior to that of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, noting that even his closest associates were often unaware of his exact location at any given moment. This secrecy stems from a fear not only of internal retribution but also from the threat posed by American cruise missiles.

The investigation by Systema sheds light on the lengths to which Putin is willing to go to protect himself amid ongoing conflicts, revealing a complex web of deception as he navigates a precarious political landscape.