Putin's Security Officer Defects

In this transcript, a former captain of Russia's Federal Guard Service, Gleb Karakolov, who was responsible for providing encrypted communication to Putin during his foreign visits, reveals that he defected with his family last October because he could no longer take orders from Putin and did not want his daughter to grow up in a highly militarized totalitarian Russia. He also provides insight into the mind of President Putin.

Reasons for Defection

• Karakolov defected because he could no longer take orders from a war criminal like Putin and did not want his daughter to grow up in a highly militarized totalitarian Russia.

• He believed that the war in Ukraine was basically the genocide of the Ukrainian people.

• Karakolov is significant because he is believed to be the most high-ranking member of the special services to defect.

Insights into Putin's Mind

• Putin has become increasingly paranoid and pathologically afraid for his life.

• He has identical offices in his residences across Russia to confuse foreign intelligence and prevent attempts on his life.

• He doesn't use mobile phones or the internet; instead, he relies on Russian State television and reports from intelligence services which are extremely flawed.

• The Kremlin took extraordinary measures to protect him from coronavirus, including presidential aides taking PCR tests throughout the day and people who need to meet him being put in quarantine for two weeks before they are allowed to do so.

Conclusion

The transcript provides insight into why a high-ranking security officer defected from Putin's regime and reveals the extent of Putin's paranoia and fear for his life.