President Putin (AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be increasing the use of armored “special trains” after his invasion of Ukraine. Proect, an independent Russian media outlet, reported on the 14th. Putin is believed to be increasing his use of trains, which are less likely to be tracked, rather than planes to ensure personal safety.
By 2019, the government will build a railway network and stations dedicated to Mr Putin, according to Proect. It connects Moscow with Vardai, in the northwestern province of Novgorod, where Mr Putin’s second residence is. The station is located underground and is managed by the Office of Presidential Security.
As for Putin’s move to the railways, multiple media outlets point out that trains are not easy to track unlike planes. Putin may be avoiding planes for fear of being assassinated after a car bombing in Russia last August that targeted the philosopher Dugin, who supports the invasion.
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