This briefcase is more valuable than Vincent’s in Pulp Fiction.
Vladimir Putin’s bodyguard carries around a briefcase that is said to turn into a bulletproof shield if the head of state was ever at risk of being under attack. He was seen holding the case when the President was seen addressing supporters at an event in Moscow this week.
A recent video of the President on stage has drawn attention as eyes turned to Vladimir Putin’s bodyguard holding the briefcase – because it didn’t fit the situation.
He can be seen holding the special case, which some believe unfolds to act as a bulletproof shield – think of Taron Egerton in Kingsman: The Golden Circle. At the event, Putin stood in front of 550 supporters he hopes will back him in his campaign for re-election.
Telegram Channel VChk-OGPU reported: “A Federal Protective Service (FSO) officer was preparing to cover Putin with an armoured shield at a specially guarded and checked meeting between him and his ‘trusted persons’.”
It added: “Among the audience were business and cultural figures, academics and journalists.
“All of them underwent standard quarantine, loyalty checks, as well as the deepest [vetting] from the security service, a thorough search.
“When Putin spoke, the bodyguard was unmoving. But as the ‘trusted persons’ began to stand up and ask questions, the guard moved towards the chief… ready at any moment to rush in and protect Putin.”
You can see the bodyguard standing by in the video below:
Local media reports the Kremlin has decreed Vladimir Putin will secure 80 per cent of the vote.
In 2018, he was re-elected for the next six-year term and is now eligible to run again. In previous legislation, the President of Russia can only have two consecutive terms, totalling 12 years. Whereas Vladimir Putin served as President between 2000 and 2008 before being appointed as Prime Minister under Dmitry Medvedev for four years in 2008. He then was re-elected as President and served another two terms. So far, he’s served four terms.
At the time, because of the two-term rule, it would mean he couldn’t stay in power. But in January 2020, he announced his intention to modify the constitution to scrap the limits for Presidents. It would mean he or any other head of state of Russia could remain in office indefinitely.
The changes were approved, and he arranged a national referendum, which also affirmed it.