How Vladimir Putin Survived 43 Assassination Attempts....
How Vladimir Putin Survived 43 Assassination Attempts
Being the president of Russia is definitely not the safest job at the moment. But, then again, it never was, as Vladimir Putin can testify after surviving 43 attempts in his life. Yes, the current president of Russia was never one to hide away from danger, but he certainly doesn't take his security lightly. As a result, Putin is now one of the most heavily guarded people on the planet. Despite this, attempts on Putin's life were never in a shortage, and surviving this record number of attacks is a testament to the professionalism and readiness of everyone involved in the president's security.
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Being the president of Russia is definitely not the safest job at the moment. But, then again, it never was, as Vladimir Putin can testify after surviving 43 attempts in his life. Yes, the current president of Russia was never one to hide away from danger, but he certainly doesn't take his security lightly. As a result, Putin is now one of the most heavily guarded people on the planet. Despite this, attempts on Putin's life were never in a shortage, and surviving this record number of attacks is a testament to the professionalism and readiness of everyone involved in the president's security.
On this Channel we share everything about Luxury and help you experience the billionaire lifestyle. We rank the most expensive things in the world and we have a look inside the lives of the wealthiest people on the planet.
Consider for inspiration and luxury experiences.
Transcript
00:00Being the President of Russia is definitely not the safest job at the moment, but then
00:05again it never was, as Vladimir Putin can testify after surviving 43 attempts in his
00:12life.
00:13Yes, the current President of Russia was never one to hide away from danger, but he certainly
00:18doesn't take his security lightly.
00:20As a result, Putin is now one of the most heavily guarded people on the planet.
00:26Despite this, attempts on Putin's life were never in shortage, and surviving this record
00:31number of attacks is a testament to the professionalism and readiness of everyone involved in the
00:38President's security.
00:41Assassination Attempts
00:43Surviving an assassination attempt has become like a biannual tradition of Vladimir Putin,
00:48so it's no wonder his security detail and tactics are so good.
00:53They had a lot of training in real-life situations, after all.
00:57Luckily for the President, none of these attempts came even close to finishing the job.
01:02At least a few, however, were done highly professionally.
01:06He became a target of the Russian mafia as soon as he took the presidential post in 1999.
01:13It was a sort of preliminary strike, as Putin cracked down on organized crime and stood
01:19firm in his determination to uproot it.
01:22However, an elaborate car bombing plot was foiled and the culprits were caught and sent
01:27to jail or hell, whichever was closer.
01:30The same year, a group of militants planned to assassinate Putin during his visit to Uzbekistan.
01:36The plot was uncovered, leading to the arrest of the conspirators before any harm could
01:41be done.
01:42In 2000, Chechen rebels planned an assassination during Putin's visit to the Russian province.
01:48During a visit to Chechnya, a remote-controlled bomb was detonated near Putin's motorcade.
01:53The President survived the attack, but several of his security personnel were injured.
01:59In 2002, a plot involving poisoned jam was uncovered when Putin was scheduled to have
02:05breakfast at a hotel in Yalta.
02:08The discovery allowed for swift intervention and the prevention of a poisoning attempt.
02:13The same year, during a parade in Moscow's Red Square, snipers were positioned with a
02:18plan to target Putin.
02:20However, the FSO caught wind of the situation and swiftly prevented the execution of the
02:25plan.
02:262002 was definitely not the best for the Russian President, as he survived yet another assassination
02:33attempt, this time in Azerbaijan.
02:36An Iraqi man with connections to Chechen rebel forces planned the attempt.
02:40The Azerbaijan police, however, apprehended the man and he was later sentenced to 10 years
02:45in prison.
02:47Later the same year, another man tried to end Putin with an explosion.
02:51He planned to drive along the motorway adjacent to the Kremlin and detonate a 40-kilogram
02:56explosive.
02:58The FSO caught wind of this plot and rerouted the President's limousine while, at the
03:02same time, eliminating the threat.
03:052003 was no exception and, once again, Putin was the target of an assassination plot, this
03:12time on British soil.
03:15The British anti-terror police apprehended two men plotting to kill Putin during his
03:20visit to London.
03:21Apparently, the Russian secret services caught wind of the plot and altered their colleagues
03:26in Great Britain.
03:27A year later, Russian security services discovered a plot to poison Putin's food during a visit
03:33to a foreign country.
03:35The specific details and location of the incident were not made public, but it seems Putin is
03:41either immortal or his food tasters were up to the task at hand.
03:46Assassination attempts continued through the years as one more became a major news sensation.
03:51In 2012, Ukrainian authorities arrested a group of individuals planning to assassinate
03:56Putin during his visit to the country.
03:59The exact nature of the plot and its intended execution were not publicly disclosed.
04:05But soon after, the Maidan started.
04:08So I'll leave the rest to conspiracy theorists.
04:12Looking from afar, it may sound like Vladimir Putin is always traveling with a four-leaf
04:16clover, a rabbit foot, and at least a dozen of other lucky charms.
04:20Luck, however, has nothing to do with the President's resilience to assassination
04:25attempts.
04:26It's the meticulous work of the FSO and everyone associated with Putin's protection.
04:32And when we're talking about security teams, the Federal Protective Service is definitely
04:37the best in the world.
04:39The FSO
04:41The Federal Protective Service, FSO, is a powerful agency deeply rooted in the history
04:47of the KGB, the renowned Soviet intelligence agency.
04:52Established after the disillusion of the Soviet Union, the FSO assumed responsibility for
04:57protecting high-ranking government officials, securing essential government facilities,
05:03and safeguarding classified information.
05:05Over the years, the FSO has expanded its sphere of influence, absorbing various other government
05:11agencies under its purview.
05:13This consolidation has granted the FSO significant control over the distribution of the Russian
05:20budget, allowing them to allocate funds as they see fit.
05:24Consequently, the agency wields considerable power and has become known for its ability
05:29to align financial resources with its objectives.
05:33At the helm of the FSO is Viktor Zolotov, a complex and controversial figure.
05:39Zolotov, unlike other close friends of Vladimir Putin, is not a billionaire.
05:44The poor fellow has to survive on only $40 million, which is a travesty considering how
05:50often he has to work to protect the President.
05:53Interestingly, Zolotov has almost zero assets in the Western world, which is lucky for him,
06:00as in 2019 he was sanctioned due to multiple gruesome human rights violations.
06:06Though the assets of its leader are somewhat known, FSO keeps its budget and spending secret.
06:12Although specific figures are hard to come by, reports indicate that the FSO commands
06:17a substantial annual budget, potentially amounting to several billion rubles.
06:22Additionally, the FSO boasts an extensive workforce, estimated to comprise around 50,000
06:29personnel, dedicated to fulfilling its diverse range of responsibilities.
06:34The FSO is truly a force to be reckoned with, but they are not the only ones keeping an
06:39eye on Putin's safety.
06:42Putin's Private Army As a KGB agent, Putin is well aware that
06:48plots on his life come predominantly from within, so the President wisely never puts
06:54all of his eggs in one basket.
06:56That's valid even for the FSO, especially for the FSO.
07:00As a countermeasure to the agency's growing power, Vladimir Putin can rely on one truly
07:05formidable force, the National Guard.
07:09Established in 2016 by the President himself, this unit now counts more than 340,000 troops.
07:17All of them answering directly to Putin.
07:21The maintenance and operation of Putin's Private Army entails substantial costs for
07:26the Russian taxpayers.
07:28Current estimates suggest that the annual upkeep of this extensive force amounts to
07:32approximately 200 billion rubles, equivalent to around 2.7 billion US dollars.
07:40A small price to pay to prevent any notions of a military coup, this formidable force,
07:45however, is not tasked with preventing assassination attempts or saving the President's life.
07:51Instead, they are tasked to look scary and deter any high official, be it military or
07:57otherwise, from thinking they can get the upper hand with some soldiers behind their
08:02backs.
08:03Even Evgeny Prigozhin, leader of the fearsome Wagner PMC, knows that if he goes against
08:07Putin, he will fail and lose everything.
08:11Another unit that truly steps in front of bullets and blends with the crowds to protect
08:16the President is the President's Security Service, the SPP.
08:23Служба Безопасности Президента, whose pronunciation I probably butchered,
08:28is a specialized agency within the FSO that is tasked with securing the President's
08:33life.
08:34Comprising four distinct special units and bolstered by approximately 2,500 additional
08:40personnel, the SPP stands as the personal guard tasked with preserving the safety and
08:47well-being of the Russian President.
08:49This multi-layered approach demonstrates the extent to which President Putin goes to protect
08:55his position of authority and maintain stability within the country.
08:59So naturally, it's unsurprising that all 43 assassination attempts against him failed.
09:05The innermost layer in Putin's defense is his personal bodyguards.
09:09That's the only part of his entire defense force you will see on the ground.
09:14The rest operate behind the scenes and, more often than not, finish the job way before
09:20the bodyguards are needed.
09:22If this personal detachment is required to take action, around 2,500 people fail in their
09:29jobs.
09:30Meticulously chosen and extensively trained, these elite operatives strive to be the world's
09:35best personal protection unit.
09:38Unlike their American counterparts, who focus on incapacitating attackers, the SPP has a
09:44more lethal mandate.
09:46They are authorized to eliminate anyone they perceive as a threat.
09:50Former police officers are said to be excluded from this role, as their training in apprehension
09:55could hinder their willingness to use lethal force.
09:58Instead, the SPP relies on highly skilled operational psychologists, capable of discerning
10:04potential threats by analyzing a person's facial expressions.
10:10Members of the SPP must possess exceptional stamina and the ability to endure extreme
10:15temperatures.
10:16Displaying signs of weakness, such as shivering or sweating, is considered unfavorable, as
10:22President Putin detests any display of vulnerability.
10:26Additionally, these bodyguards, known as the Musketeers, undergo stringent physical requirements.
10:33They must be between 19 and 35 years old, stand between 5.7 and 6.2 feet tall and maintain
10:40a visibly fit and muscular physique, weighing between 75 and 90 kilograms.
10:47Fluency in at least five foreign languages and a deep understanding of politics are also
10:52prerequisites for becoming one of Putin's trusted guards.
10:57Seen by the President's side, the Musketeers exude an imposing presence while carrying
11:02distinctive black leather briefcases.
11:04However, these seemingly ordinary briefcases are state-of-the-art bulletproof shields,
11:11capable of withstanding various calibers of bullets.
11:14But defense is not their sole expertise.
11:18They are highly trained combatants, equipped with 9mm Gerser pistols loaded with armor-piercing
11:24bullets effective up to 50 meters.
11:28Their arsenal also includes Kevlar umbrellas, which serve both as shields against small-caliber
11:34weapons and functional umbrellas.
11:36In addition to the Musketeers, the protective apparatus consists of other units working
11:42behind the scenes.
11:44The second unit comprises secret guards dispersed among the public, adept at observing and detecting
11:50signs of unrest.
11:52These highly trained psychologists use facial expressions, walking patterns, and posture
11:57to discern potential threats.
11:59While their combat capabilities remain undisclosed, their primary role is to gather intelligence
12:05and coordinate with other units to neutralize threats.
12:08The third unit comprises elite snipers strategically positioned atop buildings and inside apartments,
12:16providing constant surveillance.
12:18While the exact number of snipers remains undisclosed, some nests are intentionally
12:23placed in visible locations to deter potential assailants.
12:28These sharpshooters possess exceptional nerves of steel and meticulously scan for any signs
12:34of danger.
12:35To further ensure the President's security, the fourth unit is responsible for securing
12:40the perimeter during Putin's movements outside the Kremlin.
12:44They meticulously plan routes, avoiding potential choke points and areas prone to civil unrest.
12:50This unit faces additional complexities when traveling abroad, working closely with local
12:55law enforcement agencies to preemptively address potential threats.
13:00They also secure the President's accommodations, meticulously searching for explosives and
13:05spy devices, sealing the premises until Putin's arrival.
13:10The unit also hand-picks the staff accompanying Putin on foreign visits to ensure the utmost
13:17safety.
13:18In addition, food tasters—an integral part of the entourage—diligently examine and
13:23taste any food served to the Russian leader, maintaining utmost vigilance against potential
13:29poisoning attempts.
13:31As you can imagine, this entire operation doesn't come cheap.
13:36So naturally, most of Putin's visits cost millions of dollars, even if he's abroad
13:41only for a night or two.
13:44That's nothing, however, compared to the draconian measures Vladimir Putin takes when
13:48traveling at home.
13:50A state-of-the-art limousine is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Putin's
13:56security during travel.
13:58Putin's Limo Whenever the President travels inside Russia,
14:03the SBP leaves no room for errors and has various plans to secure the President's
14:09road.
14:10As you can see, Putin's motorcade plays a vital role in ensuring the President's
14:15safety.
14:16However, calling it simply a motorcade is a massive understatement, as it looks more
14:21like a genuine military parade.
14:23Typically, the President's limousine is accompanied by no less than six armored vans,
14:29housing highly-trained special operations units armed to the teeth with AK-47s, Dragunov
14:36sniper rifles, anti-tank grenade launchers, portable anti-aircraft missile systems and
14:42probably a couple of ICBMs just to look even more threatening.
14:46The center of attention, of course, goes to the Presidential Limo, an awe-inspiring Russian-made
14:53or a Senate, has the honor of protecting the most important man in Russia, as Putin took
14:59significant steps in limiting his reliance on Western products.
15:04Thus, in 2017, he ordered this ambitious project to construct a state limousine equivalent
15:10to his former Mercedes-Benz S600 guard Pullman.
15:15To meet all the specifications the SBP demanded, Aurus had to invest more than $200 million
15:22in creating this one-of-a-kind limousine.
15:25This mobile bunker boasts unparalleled fortifications.
15:29The Aurus Senate can withstand a barrage of challenges, including bullets of any caliber,
15:35sniper fire, landmines, chemical gas attacks and even small-scale missile assaults.
15:42Equipped with cutting-edge communication systems, the vehicle effectively functions as a mobile
15:46command center.
15:48Even when the blinds of its windows are fully sealed, an ultra-modern closed-circuit television
15:54CCTV system grants the security team inside a comprehensive 360-degree view of the surrounding
16:01perimeter.
16:02A concealed emergency exit is discreetly positioned at the car's rear as an added security measure.
16:09One can only wonder what other James Bond-like features this car boasts.
16:14Still, compared to Joe Biden's beast, the Aurus Senate is just a glorified sedan.
16:21If you doubt this, just check out my video on the US President's motorcade next.