The Russian president is reportedly running Russia while in hiding. A new investigation by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Sistema project claims that he has been filmed in at least three nearly identical offices — one at Novo-Ogaryovo near Moscow, another in Sochi, and a third in Valdai — allowing the Kremlin to conceal his real location, the investigation asserts.
Researchers analyzed over 700 Kremlin videos and determined that many appearances officially described as being at Novo-Ogaryovo were actually recorded at the Valdai residence, located approximately 250 miles northwest of Moscow. They identified revealing clues such as thermostat shapes, door-handle placements, and decorative lines on the wall. Leaked itineraries of state TV crews further confirmed travel to Sochi and Valdai on dates when official captions stated “near Moscow.”
Independent sociologist Konstantin Gaaze informed RFE/RL that Putin’s current pattern of secret locations and information control “most resembles Saddam Hussein’s,” citing the establishment of multiple identical rooms and hidden residences. Analysts noted that Valdai’s dense forest and isolation make it easier to protect with Pantsir-M air-defense systems than the Kremlin or Moscow suburbs.
Putin’s official estate, Novo-Ogaryovo, constructed in the 1950s, became his main workplace in the early 2000s. Satellite imagery shows it encircled by high walls, helipads, and underground shelters. However, since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, he has rarely been observed there. Instead, investigators and satellite images reviewed by Dagens and Charter97 indicate that he now spends most of his time at Valdai, a fortified lakeside complex hidden among forests between .
His coastal residence, Bocharov Ruchey, in Sochi — once a preferred retreat — has been utilized less frequently since Ukrainian long-range drones reached Russia. Analysts suggest Valdai’s distance and natural cover make it a safer command center.
The investigation claimed that the three matching offices were built gradually: Novo-Ogaryovo’s original in approximately 2015, Valdai’s copy by 2018, and Sochi’s by 2020. Each features the same beige color scheme, identical furnishings, and the Russian flag behind Putin’s desk. This duplication enables Kremlin media to maintain the illusion of a single, stable seat of power.
Russian opposition politician Maxim Katz told Digital that the findings reflect an obsession with personal safety. “He thinks could strike him,” Katz stated. “For someone with a KGB background, it makes sense to have multiple identical rooms. They just didn’t execute it perfectly — you can see the differences.”
Katz added that the same mentality governed Putin’s conduct during the pandemic.
“It’s well known that he’s obsessive about his security and health — it was most obvious during COVID. Even ministers and prime ministers had to isolate themselves for a week or two before meeting him. That long table with French President shows it perfectly — Macron refused a test, and Putin agreed to meet only at a very long table because he was afraid of infection.”
He further stated that Putin “never comes close to the front, or anywhere Ukrainians might reach. He takes his safety seriously and avoids unnecessary risks.”