• Kremlin guard defector flees Russia, discloses details about President Vladimir Putin's secret life
• Gleb Karakulov fled Russia with his family when he accompanied the Russian strongman on a visit to Kazakhstan
• The individual accompanied the Russian president on more than 180 trips in the past 13 years

A former Kremlin guard who defected and fled Russia has opened up about what he knows about Russian President Vladimir Putin's secret life, calling him a "war criminal."

During Tuesday's interview with the Dossier Center investigative website, Gleb Karakulov disclosed details regarding the Russian strongman. He formerly worked as an engineer in the Federal Guard Service (FSO) presidential communications unit and was responsible for accompanying Putin on more than 180 trips over the last 13 years.

Kremlin Guard Reveals Vladimir Putin Secrets

The particular unit ensured that the Russian president and his prime minister received 24/7 encrypted communications. The Kremlin guard defector said that he could flee Russia with his family and traveled to Turkey when he was accompanying Putin on a visit to Kazakhstan for a summit held in mid-October 2022, as per the Moscow Times.

Karakulov, knowing that his defection violated Russian law, said that staying in his job would have been an even bigger crime. He said that he considered Putin, a war criminal over his invasion of Ukraine.

The former Kremlin guard member is the highest-ranking member of Russia's special services known to have defected in the country's modern history. Karakulov shared details regarding the Russian president's habits, family, and health during the interview, which lasted roughly an hour.

He noted that the Russian strongman did not use smartphones or the internet, noting that Putin demands that the state-run television be available during his international trips. Karakulov added that the Russian president was always paranoid about getting infected by the coronavirus, requiring employees to quarantine for two weeks before being in the same room as him.

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Putin's Paranoia

Karakulov said his decision was spurred by his moral opposition to Russia's war on Ukraine, saying that he was hopeful that his actions would inspire others to make similar decisions. According to Yahoo News, he added that it was time to end the conflict and start speaking out.

He noted that Putin's paranoia has only worsened, preferring to avoid riding on airplanes instead of traveling on a special armored train. Karakulov also claims that the Russian president ordered a bunker at the Russian Embassy in Kazakhstan to be outfitted with a secure communications line.

An official with a security background from a NATO member country said that a defection like Karakulov's had a "very great level of interest." Speaking anonymously, they said that the development dealt a severe blow to Putin as he is extremely keen on having impenetrable security.

Karakulov compared Putin to the president he observed in 2009 and said they were "two different people." He added that the Russian strongman was now "very closed" and protected himself with defensive tactics, said the RFERL.

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