‘Pathologically Afraid for His Life’: Report Claims Superstitions and Paranoia Leave Putin ‘Afraid of His Own Shadow’

Russian leader Vladimir Putin reportedly has strong superstitions that affect his courage, particularly in activities like swimming, dining, and even handling his own washing machine, according to former aides.

In a new report, details emerged claiming the Russian president deploys armed divers to protect his private beachfront, ensuring the area's security, as well as having a foot patrol surround him to provide a protective barrier against potential assassination attempts, the Daily Star reported.

This news came from Vitaly Brizhaty, a former member of Putin’s security who is in self-imposed exile in Ecuador. Brizhaty gave an interview with the independent Russian television station TV Rain, the Daily Star reported.

Brizhaty claims Putin’s superstitions are so out there that he has bodyguards working as washing machine operators in a palace located in Crimea. Brizhaty said, “This is how much he fears for his life.”

According to O2 in Poland, they said it was like “a war criminal is afraid of his own shadow,” the Daily Star reported.

The former guard claims Putin even has a level of mistrust among his own security personnel. He stated the Russian leader will often lie about his whereabouts and travel plans, deliberately trying to keep his security team guessing.

The guards are under a constant state of uncertainty, Brizhaty said.

He added, “People were told ‘he’s resting at the dacha’ and everybody is running around guarding him but he could be in another place altogether.”

Putin is “pathologically afraid for his life,” according to Gleb Karakulov, former captain in the Federal Protection Service.

Karakulov claimed Putin uses a secret train network because it “cannot be tracked on any information resource,” the Daily Star reported.

Putin also has firefighters, food testers and other engineers traveling with him on his trips abroad, Karakulov said.

He also claimed Putin doesn’t use a cell phone or the internet, but instead gets all of his information from his direct circle.

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The Daily Star also said that Putin’s meals are reportedly all prepared and tasted by a member of his security staff to ensure it’s not poisoned.

In addition, Putin reportedly wears special gloves to stop any chemicals or agents being ingested through his skin and his pool is repeatedly tested to make sure nothing has been added to the water.