A PARANOID Vladimir Putin has installed a ring of air defences around his lake and forest palace northwest of Moscow amid fears of Ukrainian drone strikes.
Russian media claim to have mapped the array of Pantsir-S1 air defence systems guarding the 71-year-old dictator’s lavish Valdai residence.
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There is also an S-400 air defence system deployed in the ring of steel – far more comprehensive than many Russian cities.
A new Pantsir-S1 – mounted on a tower in the forest on Ryabinovy Island – has appeared near the Valdai residence.
This was seen on Google satellite images taken on May 6 this year, it was reported.
Putin is also known to guard his Novo-Ogarevo residence close to Moscow with Pantsir-S1 missiles.
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He shares the Valdai retreat with his lover Alina Kabaeva, 41, and their secret young family, independent media reports in Russia claim.
The Pantsir-S1 is a Russian mobile air defence system designed to protect against a variety of aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters, drones, and precision-guided munitions.
It combines surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery to provide both short- and medium-range defence.
Telegram channel VChK-OGPU earlier reported that an air defence system had been moved from St Petersburg to guard Vlad’s palace at Valdai which is seen as “a strategically important facility”.
The first known air defence system located at this Putin bolthole was noticed in January 2023 in the nearby village of Yashcherovo, since when an entire defensive ring has been put in place in protection against Ukrainian missiles or drones.
A swathe of Valdai National Park was closed to visitors since shortly after Russian opposition media Proekt revealed Putin and Kabaeva use the sprawling estate to hide away their joint underage children, who have never been disclosed to the public.
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The exclusion zone is larger than the Isle of Wight and the Mediterranean island of Malta.
Authorities explained the curbs barring any visitors as due to a “worsening ecological condition” on Lake Valdai.
Locals say there has been no deterioration in the lake’s pristine condition and believe the move is entirely about Putin protecting himself from prying eyes.
The giant estate is guarded by a federal security service and penalties for encroachers include two years “correctional labour” and fines of up to £5,300.
Kabaeva – an Olympic gold-medal winning rhythmic gymnast – is known to own a large wooden home in the sprawling grounds which she shares with their children.
This is separate from the main “golden” mansion.
Independent media revelations say Kabaeva gave birth to one Putin child in 2015 in Switzerland, and another four years later in Moscow.
Some rumours suggest they have a larger family together.
Their relationship started after Putin broke from another secret mistress Svetlana Krivonogikh, 48, mother of his love child Luiza Rozova, 21.
Proekt said: “Located about the same distance from Putin and Kabaeva’s houses is a huge spa complex with a solarium, a cryo chamber, a 25-metre swimming pool, a hammam, a sauna, a mud room, massage baths, cosmetology and dentistry areas.”
The investigation reveals there is a “constant presence of children in the residence”.
“In the summers of 2020 and 2021, a small karting track was set up on the site of the former helipads.
“And right next to the residence, a large children’s playground in yellow and blue was erected deep in the woods between 2016 and 2020.”
Putin uses his “personal armoured train” to travel to his lakeside hideout.
“For this reason, a secret, guarded station was built near his residence,” said Proekt.
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