A former guard at one of Putin's luxury palaces said it's like a toxic 'little town' where everyone is snitching on each other

Mon, 09/25/2023 - 07:50

Side-by-side images. On the left, Vitaly Brizhaty standing in uniform. On the right, a Google Earth view of part of the palace complex at Olyve, Crimea, showing beaches, a helipad, several large buildings, amid forests.. Dates unclear — Valery Brizhaty says he worked as an FSO officer at the Olivye palace complex in Crimea.
Courtesy Valery Brizhaty/Google Earth

One of Putin's former palace guards has spoken out about working to protect him in Crimea.
Vitaly Brizhaty described to Insider a toxic environment with sharp-elbowed colleagues vying for power.
You have to watch everything you say "because every word may be used against you," he said.

A former security officer has described working at one of President Vladimir Putin's luxury palaces, where ultra-loyal staff vie for power and advancement.