US woman 'seized near Putin's secretive compound' after straying into forbidden zone

An American woman has been detained after allegedly straying near Vladimir Putin's heavily guarded Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, according to media reports. Alexa Rae Isaac, 30, was held several weeks ago while visiting Russia on a tourist visa. She was reportedly unable to explain why she was at the restricted location, prompting officers from the Federal Protective Service (FSO)-tasked with protecting Mr Putin-to hand her over to police.

It remains unclear whether a criminal or administrative case has been launched against her. The case was first reported by the Baza Telegram channel, which has links to Russian law enforcement. Suburban Novo-Ogaryovo is widely believed to be the Russian president's main official residence, though Mr Putin recently claimed he spends much of his time at his flat in the Kremlin. The site is heavily defended, including by Pantsir-S1 air defence systems intended to counter possible Ukrainian drone attacks.

According to Baza, Ms Isaac had been registered at a hotel in Krasnogorsk from September 2024, but left on December 31 when it closed for the New Year holidays.

Her online activity also indicated that she followed a group called "Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin," which is associated with the Russian president's annual televised Q&A session.

She is believed to have been born in Collin County, Texas, and to have attended Logan High School in Utah.

The Kremlin has dramatically stepped up internal security measures since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, amid fears of domestic unrest and foreign sabotage.

Mr Putin has repeatedly claimed that Ukrainian intelligence and Western-backed operatives are plotting to destabilise the country from within.

Several alleged plots, including drone strikes and railway sabotage, have been blamed on Ukraine and its supporters.