Reports claiming that a presidential plane linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin flew north from Moscow towards Tver and switched off its transponder have sparked speculation that Putin may have fled the country. The reports follow a message posted on the Wagner Telegram channel that read, "Putin made the wrong choice. All the worse for him. Soon we will have a new president." However, sources close to Putin have insisted that he is working in the Kremlin, despite the unusual location for him except for short visits.
The plane in question, a special aircraft II-96-300PU, reportedly left Moscow at 14:16 and headed northwest, according to FlightReader tracking service. Putin reportedly spends time at his residence in Lake Valdai, north-west of Moscow, and apparently does not permanently live in the capital.
There have also been claims from Telegram channel General SVR that Putin's friends "almost without exception" were "preparing routes for relocation along with their relatives and friends." The wealthiest member of his government, deputy premier Denis Manturov, left the country for Turkey, according to media reports citing flight records for his VIP Sukhoi Superjet equipped with ten beds.
The situation in Russia has been tense for some time, with protests against Putin's government and increased pressure from Western countries, including sanctions, over issues such as the annexation of Crimea and the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, has been linked to Putin's government and has been involved in conflicts in Syria, Ukraine, and Libya, among other places.
The message posted on the Wagner Telegram channel has raised concerns about a potential power struggle in Russia and the possibility of Putin being forced out of office. However, it is important to note that the source of the message is not clear, and it is possible that it is simply propaganda or disinformation.
At this point, it is difficult to say what is happening in Russia and whether Putin has fled the country. It is possible that the reports are false or exaggerated, or that Putin is simply taking precautions due to security concerns. However, the situation is worth monitoring closely as it could have significant implications for Russia and the rest of the world.
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