Russian president Vladimir Putin has been hiding in underground bunkers ‘for weeks’ due to assassination fears, according to a leaked European intelligence report.
Putin is so fearful of his safety that he has spent weeks in bunkers in the Krasnodar region, according to CNN, who obtained the report.
The report says that, since the beginning of March 2026, the “Kremlin and Vladimir Putin himself have been concerned about potential leaks of sensitive information, as well as the risk of a plot or coup attempt targeting the Russian president. He is particularly wary of the use of drones for a possible assassination attempt by members of the Russian political elite”.
Fallout?
The news comes amid constant reports of dissatisfaction in Russia over Putin’s ongoing Ukraine war.
Sergei Shoigu, a high-ranking Kremlin figure, is said to be of concern to Putin.
The former defence minister, who is now secretary of Putin’s Security Council, “is associated with the risk of a coup, as he retains significant influence within the military high command”, the report notes.
CNN adds that the report provided no firm evidence of a fallout between Putin and Shoigu, once one of his closest aides, and that the report itself may be an attempt to destabilise the Kremlin.
Assassination fears
Putin has been known to be be wary of assassination attempts for a long time, and the 73-year-old has long been rumoured to use body doubles.
After the assassination of a number of Russian military figures, the report states that Putin has ordered surveillance systems in the homes of close staffers.
Cooks, bodyguards and photographers who work with the president are also banned from traveling on public transport. The report also states that those in the closest daily proximity to Putin are only permitted to use phones without internet access.
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