(Krasnogorsk) – A major fire erupted at a rubber footwear factory in Krasnogorsk, a suburb just outside Moscow, on Sunday. Thick black smoke billowed so heavily that residents across multiple Moscow districts reported seeing it rise high above the skyline. While the cause remains officially unknown, the blaze is already drawing widespread attention for one reason: its proximity to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s secretive residence, located just 10 kilometres away in Novo-Ogaryovo.
Eyewitnesses and Russian Telegram channels described an intense fire that engulfed the factory known for producing galoshes and rubber footwear. Footage circulating online showed towering plumes of smoke visible from central Moscow, sparking fears and speculation over whether this could have been a deliberate act near one of Russia’s most protected compounds.
Putin’s Novo-Ogaryovo estate is more than just a residence — it is a command centre where he hosts his security council. The site is part of a network of heavily guarded luxury retreats the Russian dictator uses across the country. These include sprawling properties in Gelendzhik and Valdai. His Gelendzhik palace, infamously opulent, boasts a private casino, wine cellar, hockey rink, a personal church, and even a cliffside view over the Black Sea, secured by dense forests and an exclusion zone. Putin, often mocked as “the bunker man,” is also rumoured to have subterranean shelters at multiple residences.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Ukraine continues to strike back with precision and resilience. Ukrainian forces recently destroyed a Russian TORM2 short-range air defence system worth approximately $25 million (around £19.7 million), the latest in a string of tactical victories. The Cortitzia military grouping confirmed the strike, carried out by the skilled 15th Separate Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade.
This success is part of a broader Ukrainian offensive in which two tanks, five armoured vehicles, over 50 artillery systems, and nearly 150 Russian drones were obliterated within 24 hours. Ukrainian troops also targeted and struck 14 key enemy positions along the front.
Elsewhere in the Zaporizhzhia region, the 65th Mechanised Brigade launched deep rear drone strikes, disabling multiple Russian armoured personnel carriers. One remarkable drone operation reached 42 kilometres into enemy territory, demonstrating Ukraine’s growing technological reach. Ukrainian intelligence also confirmed a successful drone strike that destroyed three Russian fuel tankers on a rail line near Nova Buda, striking a critical logistics point roughly 50 kilometres from the front.
These mounting setbacks come as Western military leaders grow increasingly vocal about the threat Russia poses to NATO. General Sir Roly Walker, Chief of the British Army, issued a stern warning from London, stressing that NATO faces “serious challenges” and “a lack of time” to adequately prepare. Denmark’s intelligence agency previously assessed that Russia could be capable of waging full-scale war against NATO within five years — potentially sooner if sanctions are lifted.
Despite years of war in Ukraine, much of the Russian Navy and air force remain largely untouched and are now being reinforced. Satellite images confirm Russia is expanding its military infrastructure near NATO member Finland. The recent launch of the Vladimir Andreev, a large landing ship built for the Pacific Fleet, underscores Russia’s continued rearmament push. Designed to transport hundreds of troops, helicopters, and dozens of tanks, it represents a major investment in future amphibious capabilities.
