Kremlin security confiscates Russian officials’ watches amid Putin’s extreme paranoia
Russian leader Vladimir Putin (photo: Getty Images)
Russian officials of various ranks who meet with Russian leader Putin must now surrender their wristwatches, even mechanical ones, to the Federal Protective Service. This requirement unexpectedly came into effect as early as mid-April, according to the Kremlin-opposition project Mozhem ob'yasnit.
Two sources familiar with the situation confirmed the new rules to journalists.
"Phones have been banned for a long time, and now watches — both electronic and mechanical — have been added to these requirements," one of the project's interlocutors said.
The journalists themselves also confirmed that officials who meet with Putin indeed have no watches on their wrists. For example, the governor of the Tambov region, Yevgeny Pervyshov, forgot to wear a timepiece, although he usually wears a watch both in everyday life and at official events. There was also no watch on the wrist of the head of the Tambov region, Artem Zdunov.
This detail in the appearance of Putin's guests is particularly noticeable in the case of the head of Kamaz, Sergey Kogogin. At the meeting with the Kremlin master, both of his hands were free of a chronometer.
However, during a meeting with Prime Minister Mishustin, a watch was clearly visible on Kogogin's wrist. Moreover, he regularly wears it in everyday life, confirmed a journalist who covers Kamaz's activities.
Photo: officials at a meeting with Putin without watches ("Mozhem ob'yasnit")
Guys, I'm on your side
So that the difference wouldn't be noticeable, Putin himself has also started removing his watch during one-on-one meetings in his office. But during one such audience — with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov — an embarrassing situation occurred.
Putin, apparently, forgot to take off his watch. As a result, he spent the entire meeting covering it with his left hand.
All are equal, but some are "more equal"
The new strict requirements do not apply to members of Putin's inner circle — that is, people who have known him for a long time, a source told journalists.
"They also turn in their phones, but the watch situation does not apply to them — at least for now. For lower-ranking officials, nothing is allowed anymore," the source claims.
His words are confirmed by a recording from Putin's meeting with the head of Rostec, Sergey Chemezov. On the left wrist of the head of the state corporation, a watch is visible, unlike ordinary officials and governors. Chemezov and Putin have been friends for over 40 years.
What Putin is afraid of
Earlier, we wrote that according to EU intelligence, Putin fears assassination and a possible coup. Due to the war that is proving fruitless for the Kremlin and the elimination of top military officials in Moscow, tensions are rising within Russia's security forces.
It also became clear that the internet access disruptions in Moscow may be linked precisely to Putin's security measures and protection against possible drone attacks.
Cooks, guards, and photographers have been banned from using even public transportation and internet-connected devices while working near Putin.
