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Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Kremlin under pressure: reports of bunkers, isolation and fear of assassinations
Moscow is experiencing an atmosphere of unusual tension and uncertainty as the war in Ukraine continues to bring the conflict ever closer to Russia's heartland. Drone attacks, massive communications blackouts and extreme security measures have fueled speculation that the Kremlin is facing one of its most difficult periods in recent years.
A few weeks ago, millions of Moscow residents woke up to internet and widespread phone outages. At the same time, the capital's four main airports temporarily suspended operations for security reasons, with Russian authorities offering no detailed explanation.
Officially, the Kremlin said the measures were related to preparations for the May 9 parade, Victory Day over Nazi Germany. But footage from Moscow showed a city under tight security, with security checkpoints on the streets, snipers on Kremlin buildings and air defense systems deployed near Red Square.
Tensions have risen after Ukrainian drone attacks near central Moscow. According to Russian authorities, hundreds of Ukrainian drones have been shot down in recent weeks in various regions of the country, with some of them reaching strategic areas of the Russian capital.
One of the most commented incidents was the strike on a luxury residential complex just a few kilometers from the Ministry of Defense and not far from Red Square, which increased concerns about the vulnerability of Russian security.
In this climate of uncertainty, Russia organized its traditional May 9 parade under unusual measures. For the first time in many years, Red Square was devoid of the heavy tanks and intercontinental ballistic missiles that are usually used to demonstrate military force.
Analysts interpret this as a clear signal of the Kremlin's security concerns, but also of the high costs that the war in Ukraine is causing to the Russian military.
According to reports from the Financial Times, CNN and Russian investigative media iStories, Vladimir Putin has been under a strict isolation and security regime for months. Kremlin sources claim that the Russian president has become increasingly cautious about his movements and contacts.
Reports speak of multiple security checks on presidential staff, a ban on the use of internet-connected devices, and tight restrictions on people working close to Putin.
According to independent Russian media, the Kremlin has on several occasions broadcast old videos of the president as new material, to maintain the image of normal public activity. At the same time, Putin has significantly reduced his travel and public appearances within Russia.
Some reports suggest that the Russian president is staying away from Moscow, in protected residences or high-security bunkers, although these claims have not been officially confirmed.
The war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, is increasingly weighing on the Russian economy and increasing pressure on the country's political and military elite. International sanctions, losses at the front and continued Ukrainian attacks have created tensions even within the system built by Putin during more than two decades in power.
However, despite speculation about fears of assassination or internal destabilization, there is no public evidence confirming the existence of a concrete conspiracy against the Russian president.
But the atmosphere in Moscow clearly shows that the Kremlin is no longer behaving like a self-confident power. From grand parades of military might, Russia is moving into a phase where security, control, and fear seem to have taken priority over the symbolism of power. / Pamphlet
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