Has the war “scared Putin”? Not a single stone remains of his residence in Sochi
The President of the Russian Federation has not flown to the Black Sea for several months – said Russian investigative journalists gathered around the Projekt portal. They presented photos that clearly show that the villa in Sochi (construction of the residence began in 1934) had been demolished. Until recently, Vladimir Putin loved spending part of spring and autumn there.
A video about Putin was published on a YouTube channel associated with the Project. During the 20-minute video, we can see surprising satellite photos – easy to find on the American Google Maps application – presenting the site of the demolished dacha.
Until recently, in the central district of Sochi (Krasnodar) there was a stately residence designed by the Soviet architect Miron Merzhanov. In the past, in a nearby palace, Putin hosted the 43rd President of the United States – George Walker Bush.
Is Putin afraid?
The Projekt online portal (it is worth recalling that journalists associated with the medium were recognized as “foreign agents” in 2023 – by decision of the Russian Ministry of Justice) claims that the decision to demolish the villa was made because “the war scared Putin and changed his habits.” The film itself was made on the occasion of his 72nd birthday (he celebrates it on October 7).
The Belsat TV station – citing a Russian-language source – reports that the building began to be dismantled in February. A month later, there were no buildings left. Today, satellite photos show “a funnel around which construction equipment is working,” we read. The Project’s journalists believe that the Russian leader has stopped coming to Sochi because he is afraid of being attacked by Ukrainian drones.
When was the last time a Russian leader was in Sochi?
According to journalists’ findings, Putin was last in Sochi seven months ago (in March). He came there several times a year, including for the birthday of Alina Kabaeva – an artistic gymnast, considered his lover and the “secret first lady” of Russia (their relationship was supposed to start in 2008 – which was unofficially reported by the media). Normally, he would celebrate with the birthday girl in May, but he gave up that idea.
In a conversation with the source, Russian officials also do not hide their surprise, as they wonder among themselves why Putin no longer invites them to Sochi.
