October 30th 2024.
Dubbed "Putin's Palace," this lavish mansion has been the subject of much speculation and controversy. With its own vineyard and 16 underground levels, it has been described as the ultimate hideaway fit for a Bond villain. For years, its exact location has remained a mystery, but thanks to a recent data leak through the Strava exercise app, new information has come to light.
The leak has revealed that this £1 billion palace is perched on a clifftop overlooking the Black Sea, in a town called Gelendzhik. Despite vehement denials from Russian President Vladimir Putin, many have suspected that he is the true owner of this opulent retreat. And now, the data from Strava has confirmed this suspicion, as it shows that Putin's security personnel have been spotted in the vicinity multiple times.
This discovery was first brought to light by independent media outlets and the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who shared computer visualizations of the palace's interior. Despite Putin's close friend, billionaire Arkady Rotenberg, claiming to be the palace's beneficiary and planning to turn it into a hotel, many remain skeptical. The latest evidence suggests that the true owners are Putin and his secret partner, Alina Kabaeva, with whom he has two sons.
According to a whistleblower who worked on the palace's construction, the designs include a balcony that hangs over the sea on the eighth underground level. This balcony is said to be a wine tasting area, offering breathtaking views of the sea. The palace's interior also features a church, complete with a wooden throne and religious icons, possibly as a nod to Putin's recent emphasis on traditional Russian values.
The recent renovation of the palace has sparked even more interest, as it seems to have removed some of the more extravagant features, such as a striptease stage, pole-dancing boudoir, and gold decor. In their place are more subdued elements, like historical paintings depicting heroic Russian scenes and a bear figurine in the largest bedroom. The palace also boasts treatment rooms, possibly for medical and cosmetic procedures, and a nuclear shelter.
But this is not the only luxurious residence linked to Putin. The data leak also revealed a secret dacha in Finland, just 18 miles from NATO territory, which is believed to be owned by Putin or his close associates. This northern hideaway is situated near a beautiful waterfall and a national park, and access to it is restricted to the general public.
It is clear that Putin has a taste for grandeur and opulence, with another palace near Moscow at Valdai, where Kabaeva and their two sons reside. And it seems that the Strava data leak has not only exposed Putin's hidden palace, but it has also shone a light on the activities of his security personnel, who have been using the app while on duty. Interestingly, the app is also used by security teams for French President Emmanuel Macron and former US Presidents, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Donald Trump.
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