politics
Kremlin Releases Video of Putin Speaking With Former Security Guard in Moscow Hotel
The Kremlin released footage of Vladimir Putin, 73, making small talk in a Moscow hotel lobby with a man later identified as Alexander Bazarny, who worked for a company that managed the Russian president's secret ski lodge and a property belonging to Alina Kabaeva. The encounter occurred during a visit by Putin's former teacher Vera Gurevich, days after he spoke at the Victory Day parade.
May 12, 12:47 PM·2m read1 source
indianexpress.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
The Kremlin shared a video on Monday showing Vladimir Putin making small talk with an unidentified man in a hotel lobby in Moscow. Putin, 73, was dressed down with a small security detail while in the capital. The encounter took place during a planned meeting with his former teacher Vera Gurevich.
The man in the video said he was from Sochi. He joked that it was cold when they left Sochi and it was cold when they arrived in Moscow. They spoke briefly about the man's thoughts on the capital as onlookers filmed, before Putin headed back to his car with his teacher.
Independent Russian investigative outlet Agency identified the man as Alexander Bazarny. Bazarny worked as a security guard at Krasnodar company Gazstroy Bezopasnost and Moscow-based Svod International between 2010 and 2011. Svod International has since been renamed Gazprom Polyana.
Svod International managed the Achipse chalet near Krasnaya Polyana, dubbed Putin’s secret ski lodge. The Achipse chalet is officially owned by Russian energy giant Gazprom. The company also managed other luxury cottages in the area, including one belonging to Alina Kabaeva, a former Olympic gymnast claimed to be Putin’s longtime companion.
Svod International holds a property trust for the Gazprom Mountain Resort Complex in Krasnaya Polyana. The Kremlin did not identify the apparent passer-by in its statement. It said Putin had invited Vera Gurevich to the annual Red Square parade on May 9 and to then spend a few days in Moscow enjoying a cultural programme.
