Rising tensions: Russian elite push for drone shield protection
After a series of drone attacks around Moscow, Russian oligarchs have begun to demand additional protection. The Federal Protective Service is considering granting the elite residences in Zarechye—the homes of Abramovich, Prokhorov, and Kerimov, among others—official status as state-protected sites.
The independent Russian channel Sota reports on the issue. Journalists have reviewed official documents published on the Kremlin's legal information portal.
Putin's oligarchs fear drone strike
According to the project, the elite settlement of Zarechye in the Odintsovsky district near Moscow is to be protected. This concerns a luxurious part of the area, located near the prestigious Skolkovo school, where Roman Abramovich, Mikhail Prokhorov, and Suleiman Kerimov, among others, have their residences.
In the neighbourhood, there are also properties belonging to Igor Shuvalov, the head of the Vnesheconombank, former Rosneft president Eduard Khudainatov, and other influential businesspeople and politicians— including the former leader of Kabardino-Balkaria, Arsen Kanokov, and Mavlit Bzhayev, co-owner of the Alliance Group and a former trusted associate of Putin.
FSO protection may also extend to business partners, former and current managers of companies associated with Abramovich— former senator Efim Malkin, Andrei Gorodilov, Andrei Bloch, David Davidovich, and Ivan Kulakov.
Drone attacks on Moscow
The settlement had been a calm haven—until May 30, 2023, when it was attacked by Ukrainian drones. During the attack, at least five drones were shot down over the Rublyovka, Zarechye, and Nemchinovka areas.
As reported by the governor of the Moscow region, Andrei Vorobyov, some of the drones were shot down on the approach to the capital by Russian air defenses. The exclusive settlement lies on the approach path.
