One of Vladimir Putin’s secret hideouts has just been revealed – 18 miles from Russia’s border with a NATO country.
The tyrant has been accused of “stealing” a waterfall and a slice of commandeered national park – larger than Monaco – for his hideout.
This secret northern bolthole is reported to be in the Lake Ladoga National Park in Karelia – as far north as the Faroe Islands – but close to the Russian NATO border with Finland.
It reportedly lies beside the picturesque 13ft Marjalahti waterfall.
Putin has a modernistic gazebo in full view of the beauty spot, which he shares with lover Alina Kabaeva, 40, a world famous gymnast.
And it is completely sealed off from ordinary Russian people, according to independent news outlet Dossier Centre.
There are several buildings and one key tell-tale sign that this is part of Putin’s huge portfolio of secret homes and palaces that he hides from the Russian people.
“Behind the barn you can see a regular mound,” said Dossier journalist Ilya Rozhdestvenskiy.
“It is not known for certain what exactly this site is for, but judging by satellite images, it appeared in the last couple of years. It is possible that an air defence system is being displayed here.
“This is not the first time that marks on the ground – from the supports of military equipment deployed in combat positions from the air – have protected the President.
“Since the beginning of the war, all of Putin’s main residences have been covered by the Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft system.
“The barn is more like a reception house. Inside there is a living room, its own brewery, and a tea room on the second floor. The building has a pool or fountain.”
Rozhdestvenskiy added that the hideout has a “separate underground entrance, a helipad and a pier for yachts [on Lake Ladoga], as well as the gazebo opposite the waterfall.”
The so-called “fisherman’s hut” has its own helipad and pier. Semi-precious stones are used in the interior decoration.
Nearby is a bathhouse, trout fishery and farm, a marbled beef farm and a secluded gazebo with breathtaking views of the lake.
“Here the president can enjoy nature in complete solitude. You can get here not only by air [helicopter], but also by yacht. To do this, Putin has a whole flotilla at his disposal.”
His closest neighbour, reportedly just two-and-a-half miles away, is the former Chelsea tycoon, Roman Abramovich, 57.
Rozhdestvenskiy says that the entries in the Russian Real Estate Registry confirm that Abramovich does in fact own the nearest residence.
This property is a mansion, containing a sauna and a restaurant.
While a nearby hotel is owned by Yuri Kovalchuk, an old friend of Putin and reputed to be the dictator’s “personal banker”.
A report on YouTube channel Khodorkovsky.Live said that Kovalchuk is responsible for the president’s real estate.
“Kovalchuk has created a network of companies that deal with the president’s leisure activities and are responsible for all of his real estate.
“This includes the famous [Black Sea] palace near Gelendzhik and the mansion in Valdai, where the head of state visits most often.”
The reported added: “Abramovich is not part of Putin’s inner circle but has always been close to the highest echelons of power.”
On Putin visits to his northern luxury retreat “local security is replaced by FSO officers. The entrances are blocked, and neighbouring islands [on the lake] are blocked.
“The houses are fenced, with CCTV cameras and motion sensors on the fences. There is barbed wire running through the adjacent forest.”
The property in Keralia is just one of Putin’s top-secret hideaways.
