When Vladimir Putin delivers a speech in St. Petersburg today, paranoid security personnel securing the dictator will disable mobile internet coverage in the city.
They are concerned that the signals could be used to direct drones in assassination operations against the warmonger, a prevalent tactic in Ukraine and, more recently, Russia.
Russia Fears Assassination Plot Against Putin
According to sources of the Faridaily news outlet operated by journalist Farida Rustamova, the Russian Ministry of Communications issued a disabling order to all mobile operators.
The action was made "to prevent drones from assaulting the forum venue during the plenary session of Putin's annual event" - the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum considered Russia's Davos.
The government stated that "unprecedented" safety precautions were taken at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov asserted that the measures were necessary because "the enemy is acting brazenly."
Previously, Ukraine's military or "partisan" saboteurs operating within Russia are believed to have launched dozens of drone attacks. Some have reached the Ukraine border, bringing Putin's official residence outside Moscow and his forest retreat further north within range.
The fearful dictator has installed anti-aircraft missile batteries around his residences to protect himself and his concubine from drone attacks. Ukraine has launched multiple drone strikes against Russia in retaliation for Putin's forces' ceaseless missile attacks. The May 3 attacks on the Kremlin were attributed to Ukraine by the Russians.
This was depicted as an attempt to "assassinate Putin" by Moscow. In addition, a drone attack occurred close to Putin's official residence Novo-Ogaryovo near Moscow at the end of May.
Sniffer canines were captured on camera at today's venue in Putin's hometown of St. Petersburg, amid a massive security crackdown. Putin will deliver an extensive speech, which will be followed by a discussion. The majority of Western nations are boycotting the event, which in previous years attracted prominent foreign guests.
Putin Allegedly Uses Body Double for Public Appearances
Putin's upcoming appearance coincides with rumors that he increasingly uses a body double for public appearances due to security concerns or illness. Both Russia and Ukraine have employed drones to conduct pinpoint assaults against hostile forces.
The tiny, mobile devices are difficult to detect and can penetrate deeply behind enemy lines, enabling their operators to remain out of harm's way.
Both parties have employed consumer quad-copters to scout enemy positions and drop grenades on soldiers concealed in foxholes or inside armored vehicles. But consumer models typically require an internet connection to function, with operators using internet-connected devices and GPS signals to position them.
Additionally, they can be used to guide other large munitions to their targets. After the May drone strike on the Kremlin, it was alleged that Putin became hesitant to travel abroad for fear of assassination.
This also occurred after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin on war crimes charges in Ukraine, requiring any member state to detain him should he enter their territory.
Wagner mercenary group warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has become increasingly critical of Russia's military and its faltering efforts on the battlefield in Ukraine, has also hinted at a potential revolt against him.
According to the independent Russian news outlet Verstka, the Russian leader's dread for his life has increased in recent months. The source claimed "behind the scenes at the Kremlin" that Putin was hesitant to travel and lacked a sense of security.
Putin did not travel to Turkey for President Recep Erdogan's inauguration, and he will not attend the July meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in India. Reports also indicate that Putin's inner circle has shrunk since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, to the point where he refuses to hear negative battlefield reports from his generals.
Kyiv's counteroffensive is advancing steadily on at least two fronts in Ukraine, with the country's military announcing on Thursday that it had retaken control of more than 100 square kilometers of territory.
Meanwhile, Russia's progress has been stalled for months, as its military efforts have been more focused on maintaining its defensive positions. According to Iuliia Osmolovska, director of the GlobSec think firm, Putin refuses to use the internet and ignores any negative news regarding his military campaign.
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