The Kremlin has dramatically increased security around President Vladimir Putin amid growing fears of a coup attempt or assassination, according to a report published Monday on CNN, based on a document from a European intelligence agency. These extreme measures come after a wave of assassinations of senior Russian military officials and mounting internal instability.
According to the report, the enhanced security measures include installing surveillance systems in the homes of close staff members, banning employees from using public transportation, and requiring phones with only internet access. Putin has also significantly reduced his visits to public places, stopped going to his official residences, and is spending extended periods in upgraded bunkers in the Krasnodar region.
The main headline of the report deals with former Defense Minister and current Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu. The document claims Shoigu’s name is “linked to the risk of a coup” due to his significant influence within the military leadership. The concern intensified after the arrest in March of his former deputy and associate, Ruslan Tsalikov, on corruption charges.
The report reveals rare details about a bitter conflict that erupted at the top of the defense establishment following the assassination of Lieutenant General Panil Sarvarov in Moscow in December 2025. According to the information, during a meeting convened by Putin, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov sharply attacked the head of the FSB, Alexander Bortnikov, and accused him of failing to protect the senior officers. Bortnikov, for his part, complained about a shortage of manpower and resources. Putin, who was forced to intervene to calm the situation, ordered his personal security unit (FSO) to extend its protection to ten additional senior commanders in the army, a step that preceded the tightening of security around him.
Tensions within Russia are intensifying as the war’s impact increasingly reaches the home front and the urban elite. The report notes that constant disruptions to cellular networks in major cities and frequent Ukrainian drone attacks deep inside Russian territory are agitating even Putin’s supporters. Western intelligence estimates that Russia is suffering approximately 30,000 casualties (killed and wounded) every month. This attrition rate is increasingly viewed as unsustainable, threatening internal stability while territorial gains on the front remain marginal.
Further signs of the Kremlin’s fears are evident in the unexpected decision to significantly scale down the May 9 Victory Day parade. The prestigious event in Red Square will take place this year without a display of heavy weaponry, armored vehicles, or missiles. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted that these measures are being taken in response to a “terrorist threat” following several successful Ukrainian attacks. Simultaneously, to maintain the appearance of “business as usual,” the Kremlin is using pre-recorded footage distributed as live broadcasts, while Putin has avoided visiting military installations throughout the year.