Inside Putin’s hidden houses: Lakeside complexes, Black Sea retreats and underground bunkers

Inside Putin’s houses after drone attack claims: High-security lakeside complex, Black Sea retreat and bunkers

• Russia claims Ukraine tried to attack Putin's Valdai residence with drones
• Ukraine denies the accusation, calling it false and politically motivated
• Global leaders react as Putin's security and residences draw renewed attention

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Russia has accused Ukraine of attempting to attack President Vladimir Putin’s residence in the northwestern Novgorod region, a charge that Kyiv has firmly rejected as false.

Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, claimed that Ukraine carried out a drone strike targeting Putin’s Valdai residence in late December 2025, asserting that Russian air defence systems intercepted the drones before any damage was caused.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the allegation as a “lie”, with Kyiv calling the claims baseless and politically motivated. Ukrainian officials said the accusation was aimed at shaping international opinion and disrupting diplomatic efforts, including discussions around peace initiatives.

The claim drew international attention, prompting reactions from global leaders. US President Donald Trump said he was “angry” over the reported incident, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern amid escalating tensions between Moscow and Kyiv.

As reports of a possible attack put Putin’s personal security in the spotlight, renewed focus has turned to the Russian president’s residences, ranging from officially listed state homes to widely reported private estates and fortified bunkers spread across the country.

Putin’s Residences: A Closer Look

• The Kremlin, Moscow - Official seat of power: The Kremlin in central Moscow remains Vladimir Putin’s constitutional workplace as President of Russia. While it serves as the symbolic heart of the Russian state and hosts key ceremonial functions, Putin is believed to stay here overnight only on rare occasions.

• Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region - Putin’s working base: Situated in the Odintsovsky District west of Moscow, Novo-Ogaryovo is the president’s officially designated suburban residence. It is widely regarded as Putin’s primary base for daily governance, including high-level meetings and video conferences with senior officials.

• Valdai Estate, Novgorod - High-security lakeside complex: Known variously as Uzhin or the “Valdai Palace,” this expansive lakeside residence near Lake Valdai in Novgorod Oblast is among the most heavily guarded presidential sites. Satellite imagery has revealed advanced air defence systems surrounding the estate, underscoring heightened concerns over drone threats.

Russian authorities claimed that Ukraine attempted a large-scale drone attack on the Valdai residence in late December 2025, alleging that more than 90 drones were intercepted before reaching the property.

• Bocharov Ruchey, Sochi -Black Sea retreat: Located in Sochi’s Krasnodar Krai, Bocharov Ruchey is a historic presidential summer residence traditionally used for rest and diplomatic engagements. Reports have suggested that Putin curtailed visits to the compound at certain points due to security concerns linked to potential drone activity.

Unofficially Linked Sites

• Gelendzhik Palace - Luxury Black Sea estate: Often referred to as “Putin’s Palace,” this sprawling estate near Gelendzhik on the Black Sea has been linked to the Russian president by multiple investigative reports, including those by the Anti-Corruption Foundation. The property reportedly includes a palace complex, private medical facilities, helipads, and extensive underground infrastructure, claims the Kremlin has not officially acknowledged.

• Bunkers and Dachas - Hidden security network: Open-source investigations and independent research point to several additional locations across Russia connected to Putin’s security architecture. These include secluded dachas near forests and waterways, as well as reports of underground bunkers and tunnel systems designed for emergency protection.

Notably, analysts have identified nearly identical secured office layouts at Novo-Ogaryovo, Valdai, and Bocharov Ruchey, a strategy believed to obscure the president’s actual location and enhance operational security.