Moscow's internet is failing because of Putin's increasingly paranoid security measures

Russia’s Federal Protective Service (FSO) has significantly changed its approach to Putin’s security. The dictator is becoming more isolated and spends a significant amount of time in underground bunkers, mainly in southern Russia.

“The shock of Ukraine’s Operation Cobweb is still there,” a source familiar with Putin told the Financial Times.

The Kremlin leader’s entourage are also under tight restrictions. Chefs, photographers and bodyguards, have been barred from taking public transport and using mobile phones or internet-enabled devices around the dictator. Surveillance systems have also been installed in their homes.

Visitors to the Kremlin must now undergo double security checks, as access to Putin has been significantly restricted. Sources say he’s become increasingly focused on the war against Ukraine and has been devoting most of his time to it.

Financial Times sources said recent internet shutdowns in Moscow are also at least partly related to the president’s security and anti-drone protection.

Amid this, the dictator has completely stopped going to his usual residences, and his meetings with non-war-related officials have become substantially less frequent.

Western media and intelligence agencies have previously reported that the Kremlin is concerned about not only an assassination attempt, but also a possible coup d’état. This has forced the FSO to significantly tighten the already stringent security measures around Putin.

Reports emerged late last week that thousands of residents of Moscow and its suburbs were left without home internet service. A day earlier, they were warned that mobile internet and text messaging will be disabled for the next five days. Officials claimed this was due to “security reasons” tied to the May 9 parade.