Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent helicopter trip to the frontline Kursk Oblast, during which his aircraft allegedly came under Ukrainian drone fire, was orchestrated as a public relations stunt to demonstrate his “personal sacrifice” for the war effort, the Moscow Times reports.

The Defense Ministry promoted the story through state media, claiming the presidential helicopter was “at the epicenter of repelling a massive attack by enemy drones” during his visit to Kursk Oblast on 20 May. The trip was conducted in secrecy and only announced after Putin returned to Moscow.

Four current and former Russian officials, who spoke to The Moscow Times and requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of Putin’s security arrangements, said the Kremlin designed the incident to counter growing public dissatisfaction as ordinary Russians face increasing inconveniences from the ongoing drone strikes, such as flight cancellations and internet outages.

“Russians, dear ones, look. President Putin himself is suffering, tormented and even risking his own life. Your problems are trifles. You must grit your teeth and endure,” one Russian official told The Moscow Times, describing the intended message.

The reality of Putin’s security arrangements contradicts the public narrative of risk-taking, according to sources. Officials described his protection as increasingly stringent, with comprehensive health screenings for anyone in proximity to the president. One participant in Putin’s events this year recalled having to take PCR tests for multiple respiratory conditions, not just Covid-19.

Putin’s actual security arrangements involve hundreds of officers from multiple agencies including the Presidential Security Service, FSB, National Guard, and Interior Ministry.

Former Federal Guard Service officer Vitaly Brizhaty, who left Russia after the full-scale invasion, said Putin’s movements are so secretive that even intelligence officials often don’t know his location.

“He [Putin] doesn’t even trust his own people [the security services]. He only trusts his inner circle,” Brizhaty said.

Military expert Ivan Stupak, a former Ukrainian Security Service officer, questioned the plausibility of the incident. If genuine, he argued, it would represent a massive security failure requiring widespread dismissals within the Presidential Security Service.

“No one would ever allow such criminal negligence. Not even in a nightmare,” a government official told the publication.

Notably, the regular Kremlin press pool was excluded from this trip, and professional videographers were replaced by security personnel and other individuals. This departure from standard protocol was evident in the official footage, which lacked the typical high production values of presidential events.

Even respected Kremlin correspondent Andrei Kolesnikov from Kommersant, who reported on the alleged attack, was not present in Kursk and based his account on secondhand information.