Vladimir Putin is facing widespread ridicule on social media over his apparent paranoia regarding a potential Ukrainian drone attack. The Kremlin dictator is reportedly sheltering in bunkers as he confronts new threats from Ukraine's missiles and drones, while also fearing a coup plotted by his own entourage.
Social Media Memes Flood Ahead of Victory Day
Memes lampooning the Russian president have inundated social media platforms ahead of the Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Square on Saturday. One post depicts Putin standing under an armour-plated umbrella, while an AI-generated video shows the 73-year-old leader being hunted by a Ukrainian drone. Another meme portrays soldiers marching with cardboard tanks, referencing the absence of real tanks and missile carriers at this year's parade, as they are deployed in Ukraine.
Telegram channels have highlighted memes showing Putin inside a metal cage typically mounted on armoured vehicles for drone protection, being pushed across Red Square by Russian soldiers. Another image features him delivering a speech from within the same cage, with a padlock on the door locked from the outside. In a separate meme, he sits among Second World War veterans but wears full metal armour.
One widely shared image shows Putin with two veterans holding an anti-drone net above him, while another depicts Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin pulling Putin into his mausoleum in a symbolic gesture suggesting 'Your time is up!'.
Mobile Internet Cut in Moscow
The mockery comes as Putin ordered the cutting of mobile internet connections in Moscow ahead of the Victory Day parade, fearing a coup or assassination attempt. AFP journalists reported no mobile internet in the city centre on Tuesday morning, with network providers warning disruptions until May 9. Operator MTS informed subscribers of temporary restrictions on mobile internet and text messaging from May 5 to 9 for festive events. Russia's digital ministry later stated that access had been restored, describing the outages as 'targeted' to reduce drone accuracy and counterattack.
Internet blackouts have become common in border regions recently, with Russia claiming they thwart Ukrainian drones that rely on local networks. In Moscow, some shops could not process credit card payments, and ATMs, taxi services, and online maps were also affected.
Ukrainian Drone Strikes Intensify
Kyiv has intensified long-range drone strikes in recent weeks, hitting Russian oil facilities and a luxury high-rise in Moscow. Ukraine frames these as a fair response to Russia's nightly drone barrages on its cities. The Kremlin has announced a scaled-down parade this year, excluding cadets and military hardware, after Ukraine attempted to disrupt last year's event with drone swarms, causing travel chaos.
Putin's Coup Fears
A recent European intelligence report indicates Putin fears a coup or assassination attempt, with former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu identified as a 'potential destabilising actor'. The Kremlin has increased Putin's personal security, installing surveillance in staffers' homes following a wave of assassinations of top military figures. The report describes 'high alert' since March 2026 regarding a possible plot, noting that cooks, bodyguards, and photographers are prohibited from public transport, visitors are screened twice, and close staff can only use phones without internet access.
Security measures followed the December killing of Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, who died in a car bomb attack Moscow blamed on Ukraine. The assassination sparked tension within Russia's security establishment, with Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov criticising FSB head Alexander Bortnikov for failing to protect officers. Putin later extended Federal Protection Service coverage to ten more senior commanders.
Growing public dissent amid economic decline and military setbacks in Ukraine has further rattled the Kremlin. Security officials have reduced Putin's regular visit locations, and he and his family no longer use their usual residences in the Moscow region and Valdai.
