A paranoid Vladimir Putin is beefing up already tight security at the Kremlin amid fears of Ukrainian sabotage attacks as Kiev forces continue their offensive on Russian soil.
The Putin regime is deeply concerned by Ukraine’s unexpected advance in the Kursk region, where Zelensky’s men now control dozens of Russian settlements and are carrying out extensive artillery and drone attacks in the Belgorod region.
The tightening of security measures in the Kremlin was reported by the BAZA media outlet, which has ties to law enforcement.
Moscow is “constantly monitoring threats, including possible penetrations by sabotage groups,” the outlet said.
‘Security has been strengthened in the centre (of Moscow) and around the Kremlin.’
This comes amid fresh speculation that the dictator will soon seek a new round of protests despite his expected unpopularity among his people.
Putin is said to be increasing security at the Kremlin following Ukraine’s Kursk offensive (this still image shows the May 2023 drone attack on the Kremlin)
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with top security and defense officials on the situation in the Kursk and Belgorod border regions, at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia, Monday, Aug. 12, 2024.
Belarusian military equipment moves to reinforce Russian lines amid Kursk crisis
War “rejectors” are being forcibly sent from the Leningrad region to Kursk in an attempt to contain the Ukrainian offensive.
Mobilized Russian troops are seen heading to the front.
The Kremlin was attacked by a kamikaze drone in May 2023 in what Putin officials said was an assassination attempt on the autocrat.
Another attack on the seat of power in Russia is feared.
Now, “along with the traffic police teams, employees of the special regiment with machine guns are on duty,” the BAZA Telegram channel reported.
Reservists are prepared for rapid response.
Putin, 71, has reportedly beefed up security at his multiple palaces where he lives a life of luxury with his undeclared partner Alina Kabaeva, 41, a former Olympic rhythmic gymnast, and their children.
Meanwhile, several sources indicate that the Kremlin is considering a new wave of Russian mobilization, something that had been ruled out until now.
This could happen “by the end of the year,” one source said, a move that would demonstrate desperation on Putin’s part.
His spokesman had previously said that the possibility of holding a new demonstration, widely regarded as highly unpopular, was “not even being discussed”.
But increasingly desperate tactics are already being adopted to force men into war.
Several hundred war renegades from the Leningrad region near St. Petersburg were reportedly herded onto a plane and taken to Kursk.
One soldier attempted suicide to avoid being sent, but others – all conscientious objectors to Putin’s war – were dragged to the Kursk region for deployment.
“The soldiers have already been given machine guns and will be sent into battle,” it said.
Other reports say conscripts are being sent to defend the Kursk region, defying an earlier pledge by Putin not to send conscripts to troubled areas.
Belarusian military equipment moves to Russia amid Kursk crisis
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) chairs a meeting on the situation in the Kursk region, at his residence in Novo-Ogaryovo, outside Moscow, August 12, 2024.
Reports indicate that Vladimir Putin may be forced to introduce a new mobilisation campaign later this year following the Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk region.
A still image taken from a video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry shows the BM-21 ‘Grad’, a 122mm self-propelled multiple rocket launcher, firing near the combat line near Soledar, Donetsk region, Ukraine, August 13, 2024.
Moscow is sending an extra 23,000 troops to war zones after Moscow’s mayor ordered a one-off payment of 16,000 pounds to those who sign army contracts – a far higher figure than those currently serving at the front.
This has led to a tripling of the number of men willing to enlist, according to reports.
Russia is also moving troops protecting key locations such as Kaliningrad in the Baltic and annexed Crimea on the Black Sea to the Kursk area.
Another sign of Kremlin fear is evidence that autocratic neighbour Belarus has transferred military equipment to Russia following an urgent request from the Kremlin.
The images show a train transporting tanks and other armored vehicles to Russia.
Of course, the training of Belarusian troops in Russia is also underway.
However, Belarusian forces have never been involved in the war against Ukraine, and there are no signs that this will change, despite Putin’s stance that it would.
Belarusian media outlet Belnovosti reported that President Alexander Lukashenko has ordered the transfer of some Belarusian military equipment to the Russian Armed Forces to reinforce them in the Kursk region and other sectors of the front.
“There was an urgent request from the Russian side” due to losses and lack of equipment in the Kursk region and other areas, it was reported.