Amidst rising concerns following the attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump, questions have emerged regarding the security measures around Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Adeguate Protection
According to Hotnews Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov addressed these concerns on Monday, affirming that Putin has not contacted Trump post-incident and has no plans to do so.
When queried about potential enhancements to Putin's security detail, Peskov emphasized that the Russian leader currently benefits from adequate protection, with all necessary precautions in place. Despite the Kremlin's acknowledgment of the attempted attack on Trump, they have dismissed any involvement by the U.S. administration while accusing it of fostering an atmosphere that could provoke such incidents.
Last year, in response to perceived threats, Putin bolstered his personal security by augmenting the National Guard with an elite special forces unit. This strategic move was prompted by concerns raised after Evgheni Prigojin's march towards Moscow, detailed by The Telegraph.
Putin's Apprehensions about Security Services Loyalty
The National Guard, established by Putin in 2016 and comprising 320,000 personnel directly reporting to him rather than to the Ministry of Defense, is under the leadership of Viktor Zolotov. Zolotov, a former loyal bodyguard to Putin, has been instrumental in quelling anti-government protests.
Alexander Khinshtein, a member of Putin's United Russia party, disclosed that Putin personally ordered the integration of the Interior Ministry's elite Grom special forces unit, consisting of 7,000 personnel, under his command, per Business Insider.
Furthermore, Putin's apprehensions about the loyalty of his security services were exacerbated following the failed revolt of Wagner Group leader mercenaries, who perished within a month of the uprising. In response, Putin has equipped elite forces within the National Guard with tanks and warplanes, underscoring his commitment to fortifying personal security amid internal and external threats.
