A new residence was built for Putin in Sochi

The old buildings of "Bocharov Ruchey" began to be demolished in 2024, and by September 2025, a large excavation pit had already formed in their place. Russian authorities did not publicly report either the demolition or the reasons for such work. Meanwhile, part of the complex was preserved: in the south of the territory, the "Bocharov Ruchey-2" building, constructed before the 2014 Olympics, remained. Putin hosted high-ranking guests there, including IAEA head Rafael Grossi.

After the start of the war, Putin began to visit Sochi much less frequently. According to Financial Times calculations, before the war, he visited the city 24 times, in 2022 — 13 times, and in 2024 and 2025 — only twice each. The reduction in trips coincided with Ukrainian drones more frequently reaching the Black Sea. In 2026, the Federal Security Service decided to further strengthen the residence's security and create a protected zone of over three square kilometers around it.

Despite this, new construction continues on the residence grounds. Satellite images studied by the BBC show the roofs of new buildings by autumn 2026. They occupy a significantly larger area than the previous complex. The purpose and number of floors of these buildings cannot be determined from the images.

The BBC found documentary traces of the construction in the materials of one of the legal disputes between contractors. The court decision mentions a state contract "Construction and Reconstruction of Buildings and Structures of the FSO of Russia 'Bocharov Ruchey'" with a 25-digit number.

Павялічыць

Such numbers are used for state defense order contracts. Similar contracts are not published in regular procurement registries. However, from the contract number, it can be determined that it is planned for the period from 2023 to 2027, and the FSO is the customer. Thus, the agreement for construction work at "Bocharov Ruchey" was concluded even before the demolition of the old residence. The cost of the contract itself cannot be determined from its number.

According to the investigation, the general contractor became "Transbudinvest Group of Companies," registered in annexed Crimea. Its name appears in several legal disputes with subcontractors who worked on the residence grounds.

Павялічыць

Павялічыць

Construction actively commenced in 2025. One of the leasing centers reported the transfer of excavators to a construction company from Crimea for the "reconstruction of Bocharov Ruchey dacha." "Transbudinvest" indeed had corresponding agreements with this company.

A significant portion of the work was subcontracted by the general contractor to other organizations. Some of them failed to complete the work within the specified deadlines or committed violations, leading to legal proceedings. Among other things, problems arose during the construction of the main house's walls, as well as during the dismantling of the storm sewage system and water supply near the commandant's office and laundry room with an extension for a special kitchen.

Workers for the closed construction site were sought through social networks and job vacancy services. The BBC found advertisements for recruiting monolith workers, concrete workers, masons, and rebar fitters. In some ads, "Bocharov Ruchey" was mentioned directly, while in others, the working conditions indicated a connection to the presidential construction project.

Павялічыць

In January 2025, builders were invited to Sochi for a two-story building on a controlled-access territory. Piece-rate cash payment was offered. Other advertisements mentioned a four-story building, passport data verification, and access to a closed territory.

One recruiter openly wrote that a residence was being built at "Bocharov Ruchey." Another referred to the facility as "strategic."

Initially, the requirements for workers were stricter. In spring 2025, only Russian citizens without criminal records were hired for the construction, as the FSO facility required data verification. Later, citizens of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan were also allowed to work. Preference was given to entire brigades with their own engineer and foreman, but individual rotational workers were also recruited.

In addition to wages, they were offered accommodation, including a hostel with a pool or an apartment, three meals a day, free tools, and workwear. In autumn 2025, advertisements stated that part of the work had already been completed and that two floors needed to be finished first, and then another building erected from scratch. Payment was again promised in cash.

In 2026, the nature of vacancies changed: now specialists for interior work — installation of light fixtures, plumbing, and doors — were sought for the facility. One recruiter wrote that the volumes were very large, many specialists were needed, and the facility itself was classified, with all workers undergoing security checks.

In those areas where "Transbudinvest" carried out classified work under the "secret" designation, the company had an FSB license for activities related to state secrets. Subcontractors did not have such licenses.

The BBC did not find an open project for the new residence. Satellite images show several large buildings under construction, but their purpose and number of floors cannot be determined solely from the images.

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