What Happened
New Installations Protect Presidential Estate From Ukrainian Drone Threats
Russia has constructed a new ring of air defence towers around President Vladimir Putin’s residence in Valdai, aiming to protect the estate from Ukrainian drone attacks. Satellite imagery reveals 16 additional towers, bringing the total to over 50 air defence positions. The new installations are concentrated south of the residence and may accommodate Pantsir or Tor surface-to-air missile systems. This expansion follows several phases of security upgrades around the presidential estate, as reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Russian Service.