Russian Air Defense Shields Putin’s Valdai Residence Over Oil Refineries

Twelve air defense sites have been established around Vladimir Putin’s residence in Valdai, according to a report by Radio Svoboda’s Russian Service, which analyzed recent satellite imagery.

Most of the systems deployed are Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery systems, positioned on specially constructed towers. The area also includes at least one long-range S-400 system.

This residence of the president of the aggressor country is located in the Novgorod region.

The first air defense system was spotted in this area as early as January 2023, and the second one six months later.

Journalists have created an interactive map marking the locations of air defense positions around the Valdai residence.

According to the publication, the 12 air defense positions guarding Putin’s residence are roughly five times fewer than the number of systems detected in Moscow and the Moscow region since 2022, after Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine.

As early as September 2023, the outlet reported that Russians had been building sites and towers for air defense in the Moscow suburbs.

These structures are meant to help protect Moscow from strikes by attack drones that penetrate the capital of the aggressor country.