Allegations Arise Regarding Demolition of Putin’s Black Sea Residence

The Bocharov Ruchey palace, situated near Sochi on the Black Sea, has reportedly been demolished, according to satellite images analyzed by the Russian opposition website “Proekt.” The allegations come amid claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin took this drastic step due to concerns over potential Ukrainian drone attacks.

The video published by Proekt reveals satellite images showing a significant change in the site where the palace stood, now resembling more of a pit than the lavish estate once known for its manicured gardens and opulent buildings. Proekt commented, “He [Putin] has stopped flying to Sochi out of fear for his own life. The president fears drone attacks.”

The Bocharov Ruchey palace, a Stalin-era building that had been modernized to feature luxurious accommodations, office suites, and impressive meeting rooms, has previously hosted various world leaders. Notable visitors include former U.S. President George Bush, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, and Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Proekt’s report further suggests that Putin’s apprehension has grown since the war with Ukraine, with alleged increases in security measures and even constructing concealed replicas of his Kremlin office at various holiday homes to maintain the facade of being in Moscow during the pandemic. Observers suggest these concerns might be linked to a strategic shift to other residences, including an abandoned clifftop retreat in Gelendzhik, Krasnodar Krai.

The speculation regarding the demolition of Putin’s property is compounded by rumors that rebuilding efforts could include enhanced security features such as underground bunkers. The Kremlin has not publicly responded to these claims, nor have they confirmed Proekt’s reconstructions.

Sources indicated that the destruction of Bocharov Ruchey might have been kept secret due to the villa’s location in historically or ecologically protected areas. Despite the absence of official acknowledgment, this development adds another dimension to the ongoing narrative of heightened security concerns affecting President Putin’s affairs.