Putin on Edge as Security Protocols Tighten
A confidential intelligence document from an EU member state, obtained by the investigative outlet 'Important Stories,' indicates that Vladimir Putin is increasingly anxious about the possibility of being removed by his own inner circle. The Russian president’s security detail has overhauled its procedures, effectively confining him to bunkers. Since March 2026, the threat of a coup or a drone assassination attempt has become so acute that the Federal Protective Service has implemented unprecedented measures.
As part of these new protocols, Putin has stopped visiting his residences in Valdai and the Moscow suburbs, instead spending weeks at upgraded underground facilities, including one in the Krasnodar region. State-run media have begun broadcasting pre-recorded footage of him, further signaling his seclusion. Visitors to the presidential administration must now pass through two levels of screening, including a full search of staff, and the list of locations the president regularly visits has been drastically reduced.
Shifts in Security Procedures
Unlike 2025, when Putin frequently toured military infrastructure, no such trips have been organized this year. In certain Moscow districts, communication networks are periodically shut down, while security forces conduct large-scale inspections with canine units. These teams are also stationed along the Moscow River to defend against potential drone strikes. Personnel working near Putin are banned from using mobile phones and must rely on devices without internet access. They are also prohibited from using public transportation and are moved exclusively in service vehicles.
- Surveillance systems have been installed in the homes of cooks, photographers, and guards.
- Putin no longer trusts his closest associates.
- He views members of the Russian elite as the primary threat.
Sergei Shoigu, the former defense minister who became secretary of the Russian Security Council in May 2024, is identified by analysts at 'Important Stories' as a figure associated with the risk of a coup attempt.
The arrest of Ruslan Tsalikov, Shoigu’s former first deputy, on March 5, 2026, is seen as a violation of the informal security guarantees once extended to the elite.
Trust in Putin has fallen to its lowest level since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with this negative trend persisting for a month and a half.
These developments highlight growing tensions within Russia’s political elite, where the fear of a coup or assassination attempt is now dictating the president’s behavior and that of his inner circle. The changes in security protocols and Putin’s isolation suggest that internal threats have become a more pressing challenge than foreign policy, potentially destabilizing the regime. The declining trust in Putin among the elite may also signal upcoming shifts in the country’s political landscape.
As Putin's grip on power appears to weaken, public sentiment towards him is shifting dramatically. Recent reports indicate that trust in the Russian president has reached a record low, prompting him to engage in more public appearances, such as symbolic gestures to regain favor. This strategic move reflects the increasing pressure he faces amid growing fears of instability within his regime.