Russia Weighs In On Claim Putin Hid In Underground Bunker

The Kremlin has been forced to respond to leaked European intelligence that Vladimir Putin has starting hiding in an underground property for weeks at a time out of fears for his safety.

A leaked report from an unnamed agency – shared by CNN this week – claimed the Russian president has spent significant periods hiding in upgraded bunkers hours away from Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The report suggested how Putin had stopped using his home in Moscow or his summer property in Valdai town after unsubstantiated claims Ukraine was trying to target the president at his personal residence.

The report also noted that Putin has not visited a military facility this year so far despite making regular trips throughout 2025.

Personal security has been increased and surveillance systems have been installed in his homes.

Bodyguards, cooks and photographers have to be screened twice before gaining access to the autocrat, too, according to the leaked intel.

The employees can only use phones without internet access and are not allowed to travel on public transport.

The Institute for the Study of War, a US-based think tank, also said it had seen “corroborating evidence of enhanced security measures for Putin and high-ranking Russian officials”.

But the Kremlin dismissed any suggestions that extra security has been installed around Putin out of fears of a coup or assassination attempt.

Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “What ‘European intelligence agency’ are you referring to? I am not aware that such an agency exists. Unfortunately, I don’t know what it is.”

According to Russian state news agency TASS, he added: “I don’t read such material.”

But, the spokesperson did admit extra security has been installed for Putin in case of a Ukrainian attack on May 9 celebrations, the date when Russia celebrates its victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.

Peskov added: “You know that on the eve of major holidays, and, of course, perhaps most importantly, Victory Day in our country, additional security measures are always taken by the relevant special services.”

Russia tried to declare a unilateral ceasefire with Ukraine for May 8-9, dates which coincide with the Victory Day parade.

However, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the suggestion, claiming it was a move to protect the celebration – not a step towards peace.

Zelenskyy had already suggested a ceasefire starting from May 6 which would last until after the parade.

But that proposal was ignored by Russia as Moscow continued to target areas across Ukraine.

“We have repeatedly offered the Russian leadership the option of moving toward peace. In response, we have received only new Russian strikes,” the Ukraiian president said in a post on X on Thursday.

“That is exactly why Ukraine’s long-range sanctions are extending to distant locations in Russia linked to its military-industrial complex, war infrastructure, and the financing of its aggression.

“Every day, Russia can make a choice and end its war.

“And not for a few hours in order to receive our permission to hold a parade in Moscow, but in a way that protects human lives.”

He added that Russia had failed to respond to his longstanding calls for a ceasefire, saying: “human life is incomparably more valuable than the ‘celebration’ of any anniversary”.

Moscow also sent a note to foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations warning that it would launch a “retaliatory” strike on Kyiv – including against “decision-making centre” – if Ukraine disturbed the Victory Day celebrations.

The message called for a “timely evacuation of personnel from diplomatic and other missions, as well as citizens from the city of Kyiv”.

Zelenskyy hit back: “If the one person in Moscow who cannot live without war is interested only in a parade and nothing else, that is another matter.

“Russia has fought to the point where even their main parade now depends on us.”

Moscow also declared last week that for security reasons May 8 would be a slimmed-down format, and weaponry like tanks and missiles will not be on display, unlike usual.

It comes after a high-rise building was hit by a drone on Monday. Russia also claimed its air defences had destroyed 32 drones heading to the capital on Thursday.

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