How Putin is protected during his foreign trips has once again drawn attention as Russian President Vladimir Putin visits India. Behind every overseas tour lies an elaborate security network managed by Russia’s shadowy Federal Protective Service (FSO). From transportation to food testing, and even handling of personal waste, every detail is controlled with extreme caution to prevent any threat or intelligence breach.
How Putin Is Protected by a Hidden Security Network
Putin’s visible bodyguards represent only a fraction of the protective shield around him. The FSO — rooted in old KGB protocols — manages a vast, secretive system designed to reduce every possible risk.
His personal guards come from the elite Presidential Security Service (SBP). Each member is under 35, tall, extremely fit, combat-ready and mentally resilient. They must pass deep background checks, loyalty assessments and even foreign language tests.
Former bodyguard Gleb Karakulov has previously revealed that Putin avoids mobile phones, often travels by special trains and maintains a strictly closed lifestyle. The wider security ring includes snipers, drone operators, electronic-intelligence teams and specialised communication units working in the background.
Food Safety and Hygiene: How Putin Is Protected From Poisoning
One of the most meticulous parts of Putin’s security revolves around food. Chefs must wear gloves, change uniforms multiple times daily, and undergo hand inspections for cuts. Every ingredient entering the kitchen is examined carefully.
Despite all controls, bodyguards taste every meal first — a final safeguard against poisoning. A chef featured in the documentary Our Service said that the team travels with the president everywhere — during official trips, vacations and major events.
Putin’s food preferences are also managed:
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avoids fast food
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limits meat intake at night
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enjoys eggplant appetisers, Olivier salad, game liver
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prefers rosehip or ginger tea
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rarely drinks alcohol
Vehicles and Aircraft: How Putin Is Protected in Transit
The Aurus Senat Limousine
When travelling abroad, Putin uses the bulletproof Aurus Senat, built with:
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grenade-resistant armour
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emergency oxygen supply
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fire-suppression systems
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advanced encrypted communication tools
The IL-96 ‘Flying Pluton’
His presidential aircraft, the IL-96-300PU, contains:
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secure communication facilities
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a medical centre
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a gym
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conference rooms
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systems capable of authorising nuclear responses
This turns the aircraft into a flying command centre where Putin remains fully protected and constantly connected to Moscow.
The Poop Suitcase: The Most Unusual Protection Step
One of the strangest yet most security-focused measures involves handling Putin’s bodily waste. Reports say his waste is collected, sealed and flown back to Russia to prevent foreign intelligence from analysing his health.
Bodyguards carry specially sealed containers — often called the “poop suitcase” — which accompany Putin on foreign tours. This practice was recorded during his trips to France (2017), Saudi Arabia (2019) and even the Alaska Summit.
Former BBC journalist Farida Rustamova confirmed that during some visits, Putin used a portable toilet brought exclusively for him, a routine reportedly in place since 1999.
From elite bodyguards to food testers and specialised aircraft, how Putin is protected showcases one of the most complex and secretive security systems in the world. Every movement, meal and medical detail is handled with extreme caution, reflecting the Russian president’s tightly controlled approach to international travel.
