Russians told to ‘stay inside and away from windows’ during Putin visit

Residents were given strict security guidance (Picture: Reuters)

Vladimir Putin is visiting Russia’s third-largest city this week, with residents told to stay inside and away from windows for security reasons.

Locals in Novosibirsk, Siberia, have also been warned to not use electronic or ‘optical’ devices while the President’s motorcade passes by.

The Moscow Times reported that those living along Bolshevistskaya Street were told to avoid going outside as Putin drives past, not to approach their windows, and to park their vehicles away from the road.

The move is part of security measures – and residents were told to follow the strict instructions to avoid ‘unpleasant situations’.

This week’s visit to Novosibirsk is Putin’s first since 2018, but the President has been conducting numerous trips around Russia lately.

While in the city, he visited the Siberian Circular Photon Source synchrotron radiation facility (Picture: AFP)

After spending months inside Moscow for fears of security threats, Putin travelled to Kazan, Irkutsk, Omsk, and Ulan-Ude.

In late June, Putin moved one of his air defence systems a few metres from Moscow’s oil refinery after Ukrainian drones damaged the facility.

Putin moved a Pantsir anti-aircraft missile and gun system just a few hundred metres away from the oil refinery.

Russia has long boasted of its anti-aircraft systems, but recent aerial attacks from Ukraine have shown they appear to be outdated.

The newly moved Pantsir system is also surrounded by a metal cage, which is common on systems which have been deployed near the front lines – meaning Putin likely relocated one of his army’s systems to protect Moscow.

Putin met with students and scientists in the city (Picture: AFP)

Reports from analysts have also shown that the Russian leader is becoming increasingly paranoid for his own safety, often working from bunkers.

Putin has even abandoned his favourite palaces, fearing they could be targets of drone strikes by his own entourage. 

The President’s Security Council Secretary, Sergei Shoigu, who served as Minister of Defence during the first years of the war, is allegedly one of the figures Putin fears could try to topple him.

The Kremlin has already tried to weaken Shoigu’s power, arresting his former deputy last month under suspicion of corruptly making over £50,000,000 in family assets.

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