Journalists from Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty have discovered four new towers for anti-aircraft systems near Vladimir Putin\u2019s residence in Valdai, in the Novgorod Region. One of the structures is situated approximately 400 metres from the house used by the Russian president. Following their installation, the number of defensive positions around the complex has exceeded 30.<\/p>\n
Briefly about the main points<\/strong><\/p>\n The new installations were identified following an analysis of satellite imagery of the area surrounding the complex. Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty has also published an interactive map showing the defensive positions based on satellite observations.<\/p>\n Work on upgrading the residence\u2019s security system has been ongoing for the past few years. The complex also contains buildings which journalists have linked to Alina Kabaeva<\/strong> and her children; previous investigations have reported that she frequently stays in Valdai.<\/p>\n In April, the investigative project \u00abSystem\u00bb run by the Russian service of Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty reported on the construction of seven additional towers housing \u00abPantsir\u00bb anti-aircraft missile and gun systems. A comparison of Planet Labs satellite images showed that work on all the sites began simultaneously on 17 March.<\/p>\n At that time, journalists had counted 27 defensive positions, and some of the new structures had already been fitted with weapon systems. AIR DEFENCE<\/a> The residence is surrounded by two rings of different radii \u2014 the Russian military uses a similar layout to defend Moscow.<\/p>\n In June, Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty reported that the concentration of air defence systems near Valdai, calculated per unit area, exceeded that of Moscow and Moscow Oblast<\/a>.<\/p>\n Residents of villages near Valdai report the presence of military personnel and ongoing construction work. According to them, the sounds of air defence systems in operation have become a familiar feature of life in the surrounding villages.<\/p>\n In a documentary by the OstWest television channel, a teacher from the village of Roshchino said that local residents had learnt to recognise the operation of military installations by their characteristic sounds. She also described how the sound of the equipment changes whilst it is in operation and whilst monitoring the airspace.<\/p>\n\n
How the new structures were documented<\/h2>\n
Previous expansion of the security system<\/h2>\n
What residents of the surrounding villages have to say<\/h2>\n
Valdai as the Russian President\u2019s working complex<\/h2>\n