Who is Putin’s mysterious bodyguard? The buff Russian pin-up and ice hockey elite always in tyrant’s shadow

DUBBED Vladimir Putin’s very “own 007”, Anton Afinogenov follows the tyrant like a shadow. But strangely little is known about the buff Russian pinup who doubles as a sportsman on Putin’s elite ice hockey team. Vladimir Putin’s mysterious bodyguard – Anton Afinogenov Credit: East2West Swooning fan pages refer to the Presidential Security Service (SBP) officer as “AA” Credit: East2West Snapped in the background of high profile meetings or spotted lurking in the midst of crowds, Afinogenov has skilfully maintained a low profile. But now the tall, stern faced figure has had his cover blow – by fan pages of Russian women ogling and fantasising over him. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! A Moscow security source said: “He is clearly highly trusted by Putin who has his favourites among bodyguards. “But the president cannot be happy at the superstar status ‘Hunky Anton’ is getting online. “After all, Putin was a KGB spy and he knows the role is to be unseen and unheard.” Despite thousands of fans on social media – who even appear to have mocked up pictures of him topless – his age, rank, hometown and education have all managed to remain tightly under wraps. Swooning fan pages refer to the Presidential Security Service (SBP) officer as “AA” – often matched with a bear emoji. Comments on fan sites include: “He looks so charming when he smiles; the dimples in his cheeks make him look even better… It’s just so sweet.” Most read in The Sun Others swoon that the Putin protector is “walking testosterone” who must have been “created by God”. Online speculation has linked Afinogenov’s looks to top secret “biotechnological enhancement” programmes. Fann pages have been set up by Russians – who even appear to have mocked up pictures of him topless Credit: East2West He was first identified in March 2025 when independent news outlet, Dossier Centre Credit: East2West The alleged projects have been rumoured to create genetically and psychologically modified soldiers. One woman even urged Putin to elect Afinogenov as successor amid Russia’s ongoing presidential elections. The woman posted: “I’m voting for him! Come on, Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin]—seriously, think about a successor. You know the birth rate would skyrocket.” Putin has already promoted a former bodyguard as a potential successor. Afinogenov’s predecssor, meanwhile, did not attract a bear emoji but saved Putin from a rampaging brown bear, and was handsomely rewarded. Ex-bodyguard Col-Gen Alexei Dyumin, 54, now a top Kremlin aide and secretary of the State Council, fired his service gun to scare away the beast. He is tipped by some analysts to succeed Putin and is seen as backed by the ruler’s lover Alina Kabaeva, 43. But the public appear to think Dyumin has lost his moment – perhaps to Afinogenov. His age, rank, hometown and education have all managed to remain under wraps Credit: East2West Online speculation has pinned Afinogenov as a potential successor for Putin Credit: East2West “Afinogenov is one of the most visible members of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s security detail,” said one account. “His presence does not go unnoticed: his imposing physique, constant awareness of his surroundings and calculated movements have made him a recurring figure in official photographs and press footage.” Weighing more than 100kg and “heavily muscled”, the account claims Afinogenov has paramilitary training and experience in martial arts – a discipline closely associated with the Russian security services. “The story has even prompted comparisons with action-film characters, reinforcing the idea of a ‘supersoldier’.” The first sighting of Afinogenov was in July 2011, though he may have been at Putin’s side even earlier. He wasn’t outed until March 2025 when independent news outlet, Dossier Centre listed bodyguards with clearance and trust to guard Putin on foreign trips. Based on official photo archives, the outlet identified Afinogenov as one of nine bodyguards to most frequently accompany Putin on trips over the past year. Others included Alexander Gorelikov, Anatoly Kochkin, Konstantin Panin, Maxim Stepanov, Dmitry Fomin, Yaroslav Chubko, and Yuri Shchurov. Afinogenov was identified as one of nine bodyguards to most frequently accompany Putin on trips over the past year Credit: East2West Credit: East2West While the Dossier Centre managed to uncover information on almost all of Putin’s travel squad, not a single detail was recorded for Afinogenov. In recent years, members of this close group have been appointed to leadership positions in both the Federal Protective Service (FSO) and other high ranking government agencies. Much of what’s been revealed about the elite Presidential Security Service comes from the “Beyond Russia” website, run by a state-funded operation. The website says Putin’s bodyguards are hand-picked for qualities including “operational psychology,” physical stamina and the ability to withstand cold and not sweat in heat. Each guard is reportedly issued a special briefcase to serve as a shield to protect Putin. They also reportedly carry Russian-made, 9 mm SR-1 Vektor pistols loaded with armor-piercing bullets. Before Putin travels, advance teams scout out his destination, checking to see how the public will likely respond and even tracking the weather forecast. Jamming devices are installed in a bid to prevent remote detonation of bombs while technicians surveil cellphones and other devices in the area. It comes as paranoid Putin bolstered his personal protection squad in recent weeks amid fears of an imminent assassination plot. The despot now has over 800 elite security forces watching his every move after ordering the number to be increased to 812 from 785, according to a draft decree. It marks the fourth time Putin has reinforced his security team since he launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Before the tyrant launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the central office of the FSO hadn’t increased for almost 13 years. Putin is the top priority of the FSO alongside his family and closest allies in his inner circle such as the prime minister and defence minister. Hundreds of staff working close to Putin have even been banned from using mobile phones or other internet-connected devices while around the tyrant, anti-Kremlin reports claim. Even smart watches have reportedly been blacklisted since around mid-April, according to sources speaking to the Telegram channel Mozhem Obyasnit. FSO officers also have security systems installed in their homes so other officers can monitor them to ensure they aren’t meddling with a paranoid Putin. Some of the most senior FSO members have even been spotted wearing disguises to blend into the background of Putin’s annual events. The rapid increase in FSO agents protecting Putin comes as the despot continues to fear for his life. In June, he ordered his two eldest daughters to move into his highly guarded forest bunker palace with him for their safety. He also ordered urgent checks on Russia‘s complex web of surveillance cameras, fearing it could be hacked by his enemies. His reaction came after Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was taken out by the US and Israel after security cameras were hacked in the rogue nation to track his location. Comment now