Vladimir Putin avoids Sochi for 322 days amid security concerns

Russian President Vladimir Putin has not visited the resort city of Sochi for 322 days, marking a significant departure from his previous travel patterns. His last recorded visit to the Krasnodar Krai region was on October 2, 2025, for a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club.

Historically, Putin visited Sochi at least twice a year, typically attending events in the Sirius federal territory during the spring and returning for the Valdai meeting in the fall. Between 2015 and 2021, his visits were much more frequent, ranging from 24 to 37 times annually.

Reports suggest that security concerns regarding Ukrainian drone strikes in the region may be influencing this change in schedule. Investigations by the outlet Proekt indicate that Putin's regular travel to the area decreased following drone activity in the autumn of 2023.