kvs wrote:
The alleged Putin residence is a government owned building like Camp David. This is a exactly a Camp David type of property
and does not belong to Putin. You clowns couldn't find Putin's billions so now you just lie about Russian government property.
The mansion itself is the least interesting part of the facilities.
When the story first "broke" in 2010 or so (really, nothing has changed since then, it's a complete rehash) there were multiple contracts concerning development of this property that were signed the Presidential Administrative Office (APRF), the Federal Guard Service (FSO) and the Federal Security Service (FSB).
Real interesting things already begin with the 2008 contract for industrial levels of electricity (dedicated 110kV lines and substations) to be provided by Kubanenergo to serve FSB "Special Objects" in the area, which is unusual to say the least as that kind of power is what you'd expect for an automobile plant or something (why all this power was needed becomes quite evident below...)
These things continue with multiple contracts for FSO facilities (namely FSO unit 1473, which is the actual name of the hilltop facility), in 2011 and onwards.
Basically, the true scale of everything becomes apparent when you look at what surrounds the "palace" area. I mean, first you have the helipads right in front of the entrance, and the harbor below (which, by the way, was a military contract fulfilled by Morstroytekhnologiya for unit 1473) of course, but the real stuff is earlier up on the road.
First, the initial checkpoint area that you'd need to pass if you came by road from Gelendzhik. Here are large FSB buildings, multiple garages etc, the dedicated power facilities etc:
Then as we move on, its a long and winding road, with occasional technical buildings alongside it, and a small FSB outpost with a garage at one point. Next to the road there are pipes and/or cables running, occasionally intersecting it in tunnels
Then we pass through another checkpoint (which appears to even have a vehicle x-ray) and arrive at the positively massive, clearly military style (it's even all in some olive drab green, for crying out loud) facility:
Then after passing through that we get to the heliport (that was originally built with three pads, but now has two), and finally the "palace", that everyone's seen already.
All of this is surrounded by miles of fences, patrol roads and guard huts, in two tiers, one inner perimeter and one far larger outer one.
There appears to be provisions for a couple of SAM sites (probably for Tor vehicles, as the size and style is similar to the Tor sites that could be seen in Sochi/Adler during the Olympics) as well, but no vehicles are yet present in the latest open source satellite footage. Considering that there is an official restricted airspace notice in effect for FL160 and below, and Navalnys drone violated it, I wouldn't be surprised if they added some form of air defense very soon, anyway.
So basically, that's what they've actually been building there...
Meanwhile, the Gelendzhik airport is being overhauled, with a brand new terminal being built right now. A brand new golf course has been built right next to it as well. You have the nearby Krymsk interceptor base, which has received upgrades (including new hard shelters, unusual for Russian airbases) and whose rapid response Flankers can be in the air over the FSO object in a matter of minutes if ordered. Then you have the nearby Novorossiysk naval base, with its new piers and new fast patrol ships (pr 22160 etc).
To my eyes, everything points to this thing being a presidential Camp David style residence, one to rule them all, with all necessary security, communications, support and amenities you can wish for.
So, the president flies to Gelendzhik airport, takes a helicopter from there to the residence. Invites other world leaders, goes for some golfing or yachting, whatever.
BTW. I think it's quite possible that the Sochi presidential residence might be scrapped in favor of this later, because that one is really awkwardly located and probably a nightmare to guard properly as it has tall civilian buildings literally overlooking it, tons of tiny alleyways and private buildings surrounding it, and the helicopter from Adler (where the closest airport is) has to fly for miles over heavily urban areas, and is literally within reach for some random person with a gun in his bedroom, when it approaches the compound.
Anyway, the main thing that bothers people here seems to be that the funding schemes appear sketchy and that the state pretends it doesn't exist, but to be perfectly honest that's not exactly unusual in Russia. The secrecy makes perfect sense, anyway. And no, the strip poles, personal casino and Dance Dance Evolution pad are CGI renders (by Navalnys artist) with a lot of creative liberties being taken. The only actual interior photos that exist were taken a good 10 years ago or so, and show interiors modeled after the National Congress Palace in St. Petersburg, which is also technically an official residence of the Russian president, but it's just being used as a reception hall pretty much.
PS apart from the military facilities the place is still far from being ready, and Putin has never even been there at all.
PPS One more thing, the Italian architect of the residential building flat out denied it was for Putin himself in an interview years ago. He said however that things were indeed confidential, but that he hoped that designing this would put him in history together with the other Italians that designed parts of the Kremlin and the Winter Palace. Go figure.
Last edited by Dr.Snufflebug on Thu Jan 21, 2021 9:24 pm; edited 5 times in total
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They need to make punishments for the desecration of public property more severe to make these rodents think twice before making stupid actions.
