Running Scared? Putin Bolsters Security Amid Ongoing Assassination Paranoia as Russian Elections Near

As the upcoming 2024 Presidential elections approach in Russia, Vladimir Putin is displaying heightened concerns about his personal safety and well-being.

Recent reports reveal that President Putin has taken extensive measures to tighten and upgrade his security detail.

During a gathering in Moscow, attended by 550 "trusted" supporters of the Putin regime, the audience witnessed the intensified security measures implemented by the 71-year-old Russian president.

Despite the crowd being composed of loyal backers of his administration, stringent measures such as standard quarantine procedures, loyalty checks and thorough vetting by the security service were carried out on all attendees, as Mirror reported.

The report highlighted the presence of a Federal Protective Service (FSO) employee carrying an armored briefcase, later revealed to be a portable bulletproof shield prepared to shield Putin in case of emergencies.

The Mirror's report detailed an FSO officer's readiness to cover Putin with the armored shield during a secure meeting with his 'trusted persons.' While the bodyguard remained steadfast when Putin spoke, as the audience began to stand up and pose questions, the guard moved closer to the president, demonstrating his readiness to intervene and protect Putin if necessary.

Living under ongoing assassination paranoia, Putin previously fortified the security of his residence at the Sochi Palace and installed anti-missile defense systems in 2023.

Despite facing opposition, particularly regarding his foreign policies in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, Putin has not hesitated to silence critics, either imprisoning them, forcing them into exile, or, as in the case of Alexei Navalny, making them disappear.

With the 2024 Presidential elections approaching, Putin aims to maintain his dominance, a grip on power attributed to his 24-year rule and the suppression of prominent critics.

A regime change through elections seems unlikely, prompting speculation that those seeking to challenge Putin may resort to "other means." This possibility has led Putin to reinforce his security measures, especially with just over a month remaining before the elections.

Multiple sources, cited by Mirror, suggest that the 2024 elections will be heavily manipulated in Putin's favor, with the current head of state reportedly approving potential candidates while suppressing independent opposition through imprisonment or exile.

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Notably, the National Election Commission of Russia rejected the candidacy of Yekaterina Duntsova, a journalist turned politician advocating for peace in Ukraine.

Despite aspiring to run as an independent candidate, Duntsova faced obstacles as the Commission denied her the opportunity to collect signatures in support of her self-nomination, citing alleged errors in her documents.

In response to questions about her apprehension in challenging Putin, Duntsova acknowledged her fear but emphasized her motivation to offer a contrasting alternative to Putin's authoritarianism by presenting a figure of "softness, kindness, [and] peace."