Sen. Lindsey Graham may have said Russian President Vladimir Putin should be assassinated to end the war in Ukraine, but getting through his defenses makes the threat more easily called than answered.
The special bodyguard unit within Russia’s Federal Security Service that oversees Putin’s personal safety has strict requirements and special training, according to Kremlin-funded Russia Beyond. They are selected for their “operational psychology,” meaning they can predict and assess threats, with the No. 1 goal of protecting the president.
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Bodyguards also must be between 5’7″ and 6’2″ and younger than 35. They need to be proficient in several foreign languages and understand politics enough to know who is approaching Putin and how they should be treated.
While in public, the guards form four circles around the president. The first circle comprises Putin’s personal bodyguards, who move closely with him and can physically block anyone who threatens him at close range. They reportedly carry bulletproof briefcases that can act as shields, 9 mm pistols that can fire 40 bullets per minute, and Kevlar umbrellas to protect him from other projectiles.
This video shows the first circle in action when feminist protesters tried to assault Putin in 2013:
The second circle is made up of plainclothes agents who mill about the crowd on guard for threats, and the third does the same on the crowd or event’s perimeters. The fourth and final circle of protection is snipers on surrounding rooftops.
But Putin’s security measures are far more extensive than just the people who surround him.
Weeks before he makes a visit somewhere, security team members inspect the location and make sure everything is in working order so that no repairmen unexpectedly have to get close to the president. Signal jamming devices may be installed, and the Russian government has the right to tap any nearby devices in the name of security.
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Putin also reportedly has food tasters and only rides in armored vehicles.
Russia Beyond said its information came from past reporting, with sources including former members of the presidential security team. The outlet is run by TV-Novosti, a Russian network that also oversaw Russia Today, which ceased operations in the United States last week.
