Kathrine Frich
Vladimir Putin has long projected himself as a symbol of strength, rarely showing vulnerability in public.
Yet as the war in Ukraine drags on, that carefully built image is beginning to crack.
Reports now suggest a leader becoming more isolated and increasingly fearful.
Tightening security
Russia has significantly increased protective measures around Putin amid fears of potential assassination attempts, according to reporting by the Financial Times.
Sources cited by the outlet say the Kremlin has become increasingly concerned about threats, including possible drone attacks.
Putin is said to be spending more time in underground bunkers while focusing closely on the war in Ukraine.
People familiar with the situation in Moscow say the president has become more withdrawn, concentrating almost entirely on military matters.
His isolation, which began during the Covid-19 pandemic, has reportedly deepened in recent months.
A source close to European intelligence said concerns about a coup or assassination attempt have sharply increased since March.
Drone fears
“The shock of Ukraine’s Spiderweb drone operation is still there,” a person close to Putin told the FT.
That operation, along with previous Ukrainian strikes on Russian airfields, has heightened anxiety within the Kremlin.
Security concerns were also reportedly reinforced by global developments involving other political leaders.
Putin has reduced travel and in-person meetings, with stricter screening for anyone granted access.
According to sources, he and his family have stopped visiting residences outside central locations, including properties near Moscow and in Valdai.
Instead, he is said to spend extended periods working from fortified locations, including sites in southern Russia.
Inner circle controls
Members of Putin’s close circle now face tighter restrictions, including limits on travel and communication.
They are reportedly banned from using mobile phones or internet-connected devices in his presence, while surveillance systems have been installed in their homes.
Officials believe recent internet disruptions in Moscow may also be linked to enhanced security measures.
Security concerns extend beyond Putin himself, with officials reportedly blaming each other for failures to protect senior military figures.
According to sources, disputes have emerged between Russia’s security agencies over responsibility for recent attacks on high-ranking officers.
The president has since tasked protective services with expanding coverage for senior commanders.
War focus
Putin is said to spend most of his time overseeing the war effort, holding daily meetings on operational details.
“Putin spends 70% of his time coordinating the war and the remaining 30% meeting with [someone like] the president of Indonesia or dealing with the economy,” said a person who knows him.
Officials outside military circles reportedly struggle to gain access to the president.
Analysts say Putin’s reduced visibility and increased focus on security are contributing to growing frustration inside Russia.
“Putin is like Banksy’s new sculpture in London [a man wearing a flag covering his face], he doesn’t want to see or hear. He only listens to the security services, which now run all spheres of life, and hopes that people will adapt to this as a new normal,” said political analyst Andrei Kolesnikov.
Rising discontent
Public dissatisfaction has been increasing, with criticism appearing more frequently on social media.
In one widely viewed video, a blogger said that “people are afraid of him.”
Experts suggest such reactions reflect a widening gap between the Kremlin and the public.
Analysts warn that tensions inside Russia are unlikely to ease soon.
“The gap between what Putin is willing to address and what is expected of him is widening,” said Tatiana Stanovaya.
“Outbursts of public discontent will become more frequent,” she added.
Sources: Financial Times, Digi24
