The Kremlin has raised the alarm over the safety of Vladimir Putin following the killing of senior Russian military officials and growing fears of a potential coup attempt.
Authorities significantly increased security measures around the Russian president, according to a European intelligence report obtained by CNN. Officials installed surveillance systems at the homes of close associates, while restricting the movement and activities of individuals working in Putin’s inner circle.
Staff members including chefs, bodyguards, and photographers were barred from using public transport. Visitors to the Kremlin underwent double security checks, while those working near Putin were limited to using phones without internet access.
The Kremlin introduced the stricter measures after the killing of a senior Russian general in December, which intensified tensions within Russia’s security apparatus. Officials reduced the number of locations Putin regularly visited, and both he and his family avoided their usual residences in the Moscow region and Valdai. The president also refrained from visiting military installations throughout 2026, with the Kremlin relying on pre-recorded appearances instead.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022, Putin had spent extended periods in fortified shelters, particularly in the Krasnodar region along the Black Sea.
Concerns Over Internal Security and Coup Risks
The intelligence report highlighted growing concerns within Moscow over internal security, citing disputes among security agencies regarding the protection of high-ranking officials. Authorities reviewed security protocols for Putin and extended protection measures to at least ten additional senior commanders.
From early March 2026, the Kremlin and Putin expressed concern over potential leaks of sensitive information, as well as risks of conspiracy or coup attempts. Officials also feared the possible use of drones in an assassination attempt, potentially involving members of Russia’s political elite.
The report specifically referenced Sergei Shoigu, a former close ally of Putin. It stated that Shoigu remained influential within the military leadership and was linked to potential coup risks. The arrest of his former deputy, Ruslan Tsalikov, on 5 March for embezzlement, money laundering, and bribery was seen as a breach of informal elite protection agreements, weakening Shoigu’s position.
Tensions Within Russian Security Services
The new security measures followed changes to preparations for the 9 May military parade in Moscow’s Red Square, which proceeded without heavy weaponry such as tanks and missiles. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that authorities took all necessary steps to reduce risks amid terrorist threats.
The report also described internal clashes following the killing of Lieutenant General Fanil Sharovarov in Moscow in December 2025. Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov criticised the FSB for failing to protect the officer, while the agency responded that it lacked sufficient resources.
Putin intervened in the dispute, calling for calm and demanding solutions within a week. He also expanded the authority of the Federal Protective Service to cover more senior commanders.
According to CNN, the leak of such detailed intelligence remained rare and may have formed part of a broader effort by European authorities to portray internal instability in Russia as a means of strategic pressure.
