Putin's 'new Black Sea palace': Satellite image shows sprawling new mansion built on coast 'within range of Ukrainian drones'

A new satellite image has revealed a brand new mansion being built on the grounds of one used by Russian president Vladimir Putin to holiday with his gymnast lover. Reports in 2024 claimed that Putin levelled 'Bocharov Ruchey', one of his main palaces, amid claims he was too scared to spend time near the Black Sea for fear of becoming a victim of a Ukrainian drone. Since then, though, a new mansion is nearing completion, according to the BBC's Russia Service. Satellite images show the roofs of the new building are in place, and that they occupy a larger area than the former palace, located in Sochi. The total cost of the project is not known, but many individual contracts were listed for as much as half a billion rubles (£4.5million). Staff for the project appeared to be recruited via Russian social media platforms, and were subjected to background checks by the country's FSB. The construction effort appeared to have initially focused on the structure of the building, but this year the vacancies changed. Project managers for Putin's new mansion are looking for interior specialists, including those who can install light fixtures, plumbing and doors. Satellite images show the roofs of the new building are in place, and that they occupy a larger area than the former palace, located in Sochi The Bocharov Ruchey palace was reportedly suddenly bulldozed in 2024 Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on economic issues at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, September 17, 2026The old home at Bocharov Ruchey is believed to be one of Putin's love nests he shares with his secret partner, former Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, 43, and their two young children.But since war broke out in 2022, he has gone to the region less and less. According to the FT, he visited 24 times in 2021 – the final year before Russia invaded Ukraine. But after that, he visited just twice in 2024 and 2025. It is believed he was last publicly seen in the Sochi region last October. Since then, he has largely kept himself in Moscow, St. Petersburg, a residence on Lake Valdai, and a £1billion palace near Gelendzhik - a resort town also near the Black Sea - among other places. Last month, it was reported that Ukraine is destroying the air defences shielding Vladimir Putin's palace with long-range attacks, leaving the lavish residence 'unprotected'.Kyiv has been pummelling Russia's essential oil and power infrastructure for months, causing chaos in the economy, but now the Ukrainian military is targeting the sprawling holiday home of the Russian dictator. On August 7, a Volna Kupol Garant electronic warfare system was destroyed near the luxurious palace, located near Gelendzhik. Two days later, a nearby S-400 anti-aircraft missile system was struck.The Volna Kupol Garant system is used to jam satellite communications in the vicinity of the residence, including Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet. Vladimir Putin received UK Prime Minister David Cameron at Sochi's Bocharov Ruchey residence in May 2013 Alexander Lukashenko arrives to see Vladimir Putin in September 2022 at - reportedly - Bocharov Ruchey residence in Sochi, Russia Putin reportedly spent time at his Black Sea palaces with his secret partner, former Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, 41, and their two young children Alina Kabaeva and Vladimir Putin are seen together at an event in the Kremlin Aerial view of Vladimir Putin's alleged palace in Gelendzhik, south of RussiaThe system is effective against drones but its drawback is that it is the size of a 'small military base and easily identified from the air', according to military analyst Yan Matveyev.The destruction of the electronic warfare system opened the way for Ukrainian drones to reach the S-400, designed to repel aircraft, drones and cruise missiles.The S-400 had also been repurposed to launch six missiles at Ukraine on the night of August 9.'Satellite imagery shows the destruction of at least one launcher... Now Putin's "palace" is left unprotected,' said Mr Matveyev.