Vladimir Putin. Photo: Getty Images
Putin begins to fear possible assassination attempt using drones
Vladimir Putin is concerned about assassination risks involving drones, prompting tightened security measures around the Kremlin.
Ukrainska Pravda
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Russian leader Vladimir Putin is concerned about the risk of an assassination attempt on his life by members of the Russian elite using drones.
Source: Russian media outlet Vazhnye Istorii (Important Stories), citing an intelligence report from a European Union country
Quote: "Important Stories has obtained a report by an intelligence service of a European Union country on the real situation in the Kremlin and the condition of Vladimir Putin. The document was provided to us by a source close to the agency that compiled the report."
"Since the beginning of March 2026, the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin have been concerned about a leak of sensitive information and, at the same time, about the risk of a plot or coup attempt against the Russian president. In particular, he fears the use of drones for a possible assassination attempt by members of the Russian political elite."
Details: Due to this, the Federal Protective Service (FSO), whose main task is to ensure the physical protection of top Russian state officials, has significantly increased security measures around Putin.
Sergei Shoigu, former defence minister and current Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation who retains significant influence in the military command, is associated with the risk of a possible coup attempt.
The arrest of his former first deputy Ruslan Tsalikov on 5 March 2026 is seen as a breach of informal security guarantees for the elites, weakening Shoigu's position and increasing the likelihood that he himself could become the target of criminal prosecution.
Several Vazhnye Istorii sources also confirm that Putin's fears of a conspiracy or coup attempt are increasing, which is evidenced not only by strengthened security measures around the Kremlin and other places visited by the Russian leader, but also by certain indirect signs.
For example, an active Federal Security Service (FSB) officer told Vazhnye Istorii that his unit has found it much more difficult to obtain permission for surveillance in non-political criminal cases, because "all equipment has been redirected to monitor the government and other state bodies".
"The extreme level of Putin's fear of an assassination attempt or conspiracy is also indirectly indicated by the fact that this year not a single deputy of the State Duma received an invitation to the Victory Day parade on Red Square," Vazhnye Istorii noted. [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, celebrated on 9 May – ed.]
Previously: An explosion was heard on the night of 3-4 May in Moscow about six kilometres from the Kremlin, allegedly due to a drone attack.
Background:
On 29 April, Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian leader, reported that Putin had held a phone call with US President Donald Trump during which Putin said he is willing to declare a ceasefire on 9 May.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia does not require Ukraine's response in order to declare a ceasefire by 9 May, adding that the decision would supposedly be taken unilaterally by Vladimir Putin.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes the Kremlin is seeking a one- or multi-day ceasefire primarily to protect its annual military Victory Day parade in Moscow on 9 May from possible Ukrainian strikes.
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