"Putin Retreats to Underground Bunker Amid Assassination Threats"...Drone Attacks Reach Near Kremlin

Only Two Public Appearances This Year, a Sharp Decline from Last Year

"Kremlin's Sense of Crisis Intensifies"

Russian President Vladimir Putin is reported to have increased the amount of time he spends in an underground bunker and significantly strengthened his security due to perceived assassination threats. It has even been reported that areas near the Kremlin have come under drone attacks by Ukrainian forces.

On May 4 (local time), international media outlets such as CNN and Ukraine's National News (UNN) reported that President Putin is spending most of his time in an underground bunker due to concerns over possible assassination attempts using drones.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. AP, Yonhap News Agency

According to a report obtained by CNN from a European intelligence agency, the Russian Federal Protective Service (FSO) has significantly bolstered security measures for President Putin since March of this year.

Visitors to the Russian presidential administration are now required to undergo two stages of security screening, and staff members working in proximity to President Putin are reportedly prohibited from using internet-connected mobile phones and public transportation. Surveillance camera systems have also been installed at the homes of related personnel, including chefs, photographers, and security guards.

The FSO's authority has also been greatly expanded, with large-scale inspections utilizing sniffer dogs being conducted, and personnel have been deployed along the Moscow River to respond to potential drone attacks. Internet disruptions in certain areas of the capital are also believed to be linked to these security activities.

These measures were introduced over the past several months following the killing of a high-ranking Russian military official in December last year. The report analyzes that "amidst the protracted war in Ukraine, economic difficulties, internal discontent, and setbacks on the front lines, the sense of insecurity within the Kremlin has grown as both internal and external crises intensify."

Indeed, President Putin's public activities have also significantly decreased. On April 27, President Putin visited the Olympic Reserve School in Saint Petersburg, Russia, marking only his second public appearance this year. This is a sharp decline compared to the 17 public visits he made last year. Recent video footage of President Putin that has been made public is reportedly pre-recorded material.

The report also states, "Since March of this year, the Kremlin and President Putin have become increasingly concerned about the possibility of classified information leaks and coup attempts," adding that "there is also vigilance regarding the possibility of assassination attempts utilizing drones by Russian political elites." The report mentions Sergei Shoigu, the former defense minister and current Secretary of the Russian Security Council, who has long been a close associate of President Putin, noting that "he wields considerable influence within the top military command and has been identified as a potential coup risk."

It is also believed that the so-called "Spider Web Operation" has contributed to President Putin's heightened sense of caution. Last year, Ukraine reportedly deployed 117 drones to destroy 41 Russian bombers.

In addition, incidents such as the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. authorities in January of this year are said to have further limited President Putin's external contacts.

These enhanced security measures appear to have also affected the upcoming Victory Day parade scheduled for May 9 in Russia. This year's event is expected to be held in a scaled-down format, excluding heavy equipment such as tanks and missiles.

Meanwhile, on the same day, a luxury building on Mosfilmovskaya Street in central Moscow was attacked by a Ukrainian drone. Russia's air defense shot down one of the two Ukrainian drones, but the other reportedly evaded interception. Mosfilmovskaya Street is only about 6 to 8 kilometers from the Kremlin.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.