Air defences are set up near Putin's palace in latest sign leader fears direct ... trends now
Major air defences have been set up close to Vladimir Putin's forest palace just days after missiles were deployed near his official residence near Moscow in the latest sign that the Russian leader fears a direct strike on Russia from Ukraine.
A Pantsir-S1 defence system has been deployed near Putin's Valdai presidential palace in Yascherovo, a village midway between Moscow and St Petersburg.
Similar systems have been deployed to Putin's official residence in Novo-Ogarevo in the past week, evidently to protect him from Ukrainian drones or missiles.
Russia has also deployed the Pantsir-S1 and S-400 'Triumf' air defence systems across Moscow amid evident fears of a full-scale attack on the capital city from Ukraine.
A Pantsir-S1 defence system has been deployed near Putin's Valdai presidential palace (left) in Yascherovo, a village midway between Moscow and St Petersburg. Similar systems have been deployed to Putin's official residence in Novo-Ogarevo in the past week (right), evidently to protect him from Ukrainian drones or missiles
In the latest deployment, Russia has set up a Pantsir-S1 defence system close to Putin's Valdai presidential palace (pictured) 'protect him and his family' from long range Ukrainian attacks
Their deployment to Moscow and Putin's palace and official residence comes after two suspected Ukrainian drone strikes hit two air bases deep inside Russia in December, damaging two nuclear-capable bombers that were thought to be preparing for an attack on Ukraine.
In the latest deployment, Russia has set up a Pantsir-S1 defence system close to Putin's Valdai presidential palace to 'protect him and his family' from long range Ukrainian attacks, reports the Russian media outlet Agentstvo Novosti.
Putin's rumoured lover Alina Kabaeva, 39, is known to favour the lavish bolthole at Valdai in Novgorod region. He and Kabaeva are believed to have a young family that are kept secret from Russian people, and have never been seen.
Three servicemen are constantly nearby the defence system, and the radar antenna rotates, said the report.
Similar systems have been deployed in the past week close to Putin's official residence on the outskirts of Moscow, and at prime locations in the centre of the capital.
'These air defence systems protect President Vladimir Putin and his family from a possible Ukrainian strike,' said the report.
'This conclusion can be drawn after the air defence system appeared near the Valdai presidential residence.
'There are simply no other sites for protection there, except for the residence.'
The Pantsir system is designed to protect government and industrial facilities against aircraft, helicopters, precision munitions, cruise missiles and military drones.
Last week a new deployment of a Pantsir-S1 complex was revealed six miles from Putin's official residence near Moscow, evidently to protect him from Ukrainian drones or missiles.
Another Pantsir-S1 defence system appeared on the roof of the Russian defence ministry's National Defence Management Centre (NTsUO) on Frunzenskaya Embankment, the command centre of Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
A Pantsir missile system is pictured getting installed on top of a building in Moscow, Russia. The installations suggest Kremlin officials fear the capital could be attacked
Pictured: A Pantsir missile system (circled) is pictured on top of Russian Ministry of Defence's National Defence Management Centre - the command centre of
