Security Breach: Putin's Bodyguards Reveal Sensitive Locations Through Fitness App

In an alarming revelation, members of Russian President Vladimir Putin's protective guard have inadvertently disclosed their presence at several secretive facilities over the years. This unintentional disclosure has raised significant security concerns, as it provides clues about the Kremlin leader's whereabouts. A recent investigation highlighted by French newspaper Le Monde underscores the risks associated with the use of fitness tracking applications like Strava, which can inadvertently expose the locations of high-profile individuals.

Strava, a popular fitness app, has previously come under scrutiny for its ability to reveal sensitive military and governmental locations based on user activity. In 2018, a public map released by Strava showcased the activities of its users, revealing locations linked to global military bases. Such revelations have raised serious questions about the security implications of personnel publicly tracking their locations.

Analysis of running activities recorded by several of Putin's bodyguards showed a worrying pattern, with agents consistently appearing within 9 miles of a location known as "Putin's Palace" in Gelendzhik, a resort town on the Black Sea. Over multiple years, Federal Protective Service agents have been noted near this sensitive site, leading to fears that their exercise routines could compromise the security of the Russian President.

One particular bodyguard was reported to have run in front of the main entrance of "Putin's Palace" for three consecutive days earlier this year, further emphasizing the issue. This palace, which gained notoriety following a video released by Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, is a point of contention, with Putin denying ownership of the property.

In January, an investigative outlet unveiled that Putin allegedly has a hidden complex in Karelia, featuring a private waterfall. This complex borders Finland, a NATO member, raising further concerns about the implications of such a security breach.

Newsweek has reached out to the Russian government for comments regarding these findings. One bodyguard reportedly ran nearly 4 miles around the disputed property, while another documented a run near the palace in August 2022, during a trip previously taken with Putin to the UAE and Jerusalem.

In November 2019, during a BRICS summit in Brazil, one of Putin's bodyguards recorded a 5-mile running route that was tracked on Strava before returning to the hotel where the Russian leader was scheduled to stay. This pattern of activity raises critical questions about the operational security of leaders and the potential for location-based services to expose sensitive information.

Recently, in September 2023, another bodyguard recorded a run in Blagoveshchensk, just days before Putin's meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the Vostochny Cosmodrome. These incidents highlight the need for heightened awareness and measures to safeguard sensitive information in an era where technology is increasingly integrated into daily activities.