NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s arrival for the bilateral summit on Thursday triggered an extensive security operation, transforming key areas of the capital into heavily fortified zones. According to sources, many of the security protocols used during the 2023 G20 Summit have been reinstated to ensure maximum protection for the visiting leader.
A major element of Putin’s security apparatus is his custom-built Aurus Senat limousine—often described as a “rolling bunker.” Flown in specially from Moscow, the vehicle is reserved for emergency use, officials said. On Thursday, it was seen following the armoured Toyota Fortuner in which PM Narendra Modi and President Putin travelled together.
Developed under Russia’s Kortezh project to create indigenous vehicles for top officials, the Aurus Senat is engineered to withstand sniper fire, IED explosions, and chemical attacks. It also features run-flat tyres and an emergency oxygen supply.
Security agencies have created a five-layer concentric protection grid, combining advanced Russian security protocols with India’s elite counter-terror capabilities. The system covers every stage of the President’s movement—from his aircraft’s landing to his departure.
At hotels, special control rooms have been established, with rooftop snipers equipped with AI-assisted targeting systems. Anti-drone mechanisms have also been deployed around key venues. For air travel, Putin uses a specially modified Ilyushin IL-96-300PU—nicknamed the “Flying Kremlin”—which is outfitted with advanced communications, missile-defence systems, and is accompanied by backup aircraft flying parallel routes to obscure its location.
The innermost security ring is handled by members of the Russian Presidential Security Service (SBP), an elite unit of the Federal Protective Service (FSO). These officers—selected for exceptional physical and psychological endurance—remain closest to the President and are responsible for his immediate protection, especially during transfers to and from his vehicle.
Supporting this core team are India’s NSG commandos, Special Protection Group (SPG), SWAT units, and Quick Response Teams (QRTs), forming successive layers of security. All hotels hosting delegations are under the charge of a DCP-rank officer.
To further test and reinforce the security setup, authorities have stationed dummy dignitaries in selected hotels, while hotel staff have undergone two rounds of vetting by multiple agencies, sources added.
