Russian Dictator Vladimir Putin Abandons Regional Travel Amid Drone Strikes

(MOSCOW, RUSSIA) – The Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has not travelled to any region within his own country for more than 196 days, according to an investigation by the independent Russian media outlet Agentstvo.

The last confirmed regional visit by the veteran KGB operative took place on 6 November 2025, when he flew to Samara. Since that date, nearly 200 days have passed without any domestic travel, an unprecedented pause for a man who has ruled Russia for more than 26 years.

The prolonged absence from regional visits comes as the Russian Federation faces escalating internal turmoil. Ukrainian drone operations have struck targets deep inside Russian territory, including military air bases, oil refineries, and arms production facilities. Explosions and fires have become regular occurrences in numerous regions, shattering the Kremlin’s long cultivated myth of internal security and safety behind the Urals.

The Russian dictator has instead retreated deeper into his network of fortified bunkers. Multiple layers of air defence systems have been positioned around his personal residences, including a reported 27 systems at his Valdai compound, a concentration of protective hardware that outstrips the defences available to entire Russian cities such as Belgorod and Lipetsk.

Fear of growing public anger appears to be a driving factor. Millions of Russians are experiencing the consequences of the war returning to their own soil. Salaries have gone unpaid since January in some regions, deposits are at risk, and prices and taxes continue to rise. Citizens who once supported the so called special military operation are now openly questioning their so called president.

Russian military vloggers and even deputies of the Russian parliament have begun publicly blaming the Kremlin dictator for the country’s mounting problems. The growing dissent marks a dramatic shift from just two years ago, when open criticism of Putin was virtually unheard.

The dictator’s fear of assassination or public confrontation is so acute, analysts suggest, that he may not even trust his reputed body doubles to appear in his place, lest an incident involving a double expose the deception.

This video report was produced by Anna from Ukraine.