VLADIMIR Putin's goons reportedly shut down mobile internet networks in a major Russian city today over fears of a drone assassination attempt.
A ring-of-steel security operation was launched to guard the paranoid dictator ahead of a speech in his home city St Petersburg.
Vlad is said to fear kamikaze drones guided by phone signals could be used to target him following alleged strikes on the Kremlin last month.
The government said "unprecedented" safety measures had been taken at the showcase St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed the measures were needed as "the enemy acts brazenly", reports state news agency Tass.
Russia’s Ministry of Communications issued a disabling order to all mobile operators, sources told the Faridaily news outlet run by journalist Farida Rustamova.
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The move was “in order to prevent drones from attacking the forum venue during the plenary session of Putin's traditional event”.
It comes after dozens of drone strikes in recent month, said to have have been launched by Ukraine's military or "partisan" saboteurs acting inside Russia.
Some have reached hundreds of miles from the Ukraine border, bringing Vlad's official residence outside Moscow and his forest palace further north within range.
The fearful tyrant has installed anti-aircraft missile batteries around his homes to shield him and his mistress from drone strikes.
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On May 3, two drones were apparently filmed attacking the Kremlin itself.
The craft were filmed exploding in flames and one set fire to the domed roof of the Senate Palace inside the historic fortress.
Russia blamed Ukraine and launched a wave of brutal missile strikes in retaliation for what it claimed was an "assassination" attempt.
But Kyiv has denied launching drones at Russia or targeting Putin.
Today sniffer dogs were seen at the summit St Petersburg amid a huge security clampdown.
Putin is due to make a “lengthy speech” followed by a discussion.
"We can expect a very voluminous speech from the head of state,” said his spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
“Indeed a rather long speech was prepared.”
Most Western countries are boycotting the event which in previous years attracted foreign VIP delegates.
Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, is one of the few world leaders present.
Putin’s appearance comes at a time when there are rumours that he is increasingly using a body double for public events due to security fears or illness.
Swedish economist Anders Aslund – who has worked as an adviser to both the Russian and Ukrainians governments – told Die Welt: “Putin doesn't dare go out in public.
“Whenever he appears, there are suspicions that he is a double.
“Putin seems frightened.
“He has built bunkers at his three main residences.
“He travels the country by armoured train.
“And at each of his three main residences, he has built special stations for his personal security.
“The level of paranoia seems almost pathological.”
It comes as Russia struggles to hold back a big push by Ukrainian forces along hundreds of miles of front line.
A puppet regional ruler admitted yesterday Britain's bunker-busting Storm Shadow cruise missiles are a nightmare for the invading forces.
Yevgeniy Balitsky, Kremlin-appointed governor in occupied Zaporizhzhia, said the weapons “certainly give us trouble”.
He added: “We’ve somehow learned how to shoot down US-supplied HIMARS, but our air defence is having a hard time against Storm Shadow.
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"It flies at different speeds, at varying altitudes, changing modes.”
He spoke days after a precision Storm Shadow strike was reported to have killed Major-General Sergey Goryachev, 52, and eight other top officers in a pinpoint strike on a Zaporizhzhia command post.
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