Kathrine Frich
The Kremlin has tightened the president’s security significantly over the past year.
When danger creeps closer to home, human instinct often points in the opposite direction.
Leaders facing mounting pressure at the front door tend to look for a quiet space by the back exit. Sometimes, finding that peace requires a very long flight.
Moving far away
Russian President Vladimir Putin is spending a lot of time in the east. He landed in the republic of Buryatia on Monday, according to Digi24 and the Spanish news agency EFE.
The region sits 4,500 kilometers from Moscow. More importantly, it lies far beyond the reach of Ukrainian drones.
This marks his third trip to Siberia in less than three weeks. Before this, he visited Irkutsk on July 24 and then flew to Krasnoyarsk on August 3.
Security takes priority
The Kremlin has tightened the president’s security significantly over the past year. Ukrainian drones now regularly strike targets across European Russia and even cross the Ural Mountains to hit distant facilities.
As a result, his travel schedule looks very different today. Aside from major hubs like Moscow and Saint Petersburg, he has only visited a few select locations this year, including a recent summit in Kazan.
His Siberian schedule remained unchanged even after a recent tragedy closer to the front lines. Seven swimmers died in the Black Sea when a Ukrainian drone exploded over a tourist beach, as reported by EFE. He did not alter his travel plans in response.
In Buryatia, Putin planned to attend a state university exhibition in the capital city of Ulan-Ude. The state news agency RIA Novosti confirmed his appearance at the educational event.
Signs of fatigue
Buryatia has a complicated link to the current conflict. The Buddhist region bordering Lake Baikal has supplied a vast number of soldiers for the war in Ukraine.
Back home, the public mood appears to be shifting. Polls show a drop in Putin’s popularity, echoing the backlash to his 2018 pension reforms.
Citizens are growing tired of the ongoing war, strict internet controls, and a biting fuel crisis.
It remains unclear if the president is officially on vacation. He previously enjoyed Siberian holidays with his former defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, who has since fallen out of favor.
Sources: Digi24, EFE, Agerpres, RIA Novosti
