Satellite imagery reveals seven new air defense towers equipped with “Pantsyr” systems were constructed around Vladimir Putin’s Valdai residence in March.
Increased Air Defenses Around Putin’s Residence
Radio Swoboda, citing research from the Systema project, reported the construction of seven new towers around Vladimir Putin’s residence in Valdai, Novgorod Oblast, Russia, in March of this year. These towers are equipped with “Pantsyr” air defense systems.
Investigative journalists analyzed the satellite imagery, focusing on Putin’s residence.
“Pantsyr” System Details
The “Pantsyr” is a Russian self-propelled, short to medium-range air defense system combining surface-to-air missiles with automatic cannons. The total number of such installations at the residence has increased to 27.
Rapid Construction Timeline
Systema’s investigative journalists found that construction of all seven new towers began simultaneously on March 17th. Some have already been equipped with missile-artillery systems. The air defense systems are arranged around the residence in two rings – a larger and a smaller radius.
The Valdai Residence and Alina Kabaeva
In August of last year, Radio Swoboda reported on satellite images showing at least 12 “Pantsyr-S1” surface-to-air missile systems at the Valdai residence, many installed on dedicated towers.
The Dossier Center reported that Alina Kabaeva, a former Olympic gymnast who heads the National Media Group, resides at the Valdai residence. The Moscow Times reported that Kabaeva is widely known as Putin’s long-term partner and spends most of the year there with her two sons, Ivan and Vladimir. In February 2023, Proekt reported the construction of a house for Kabaeva near the president’s residence, complete with a private railway line.