On the other hand, even his Minister of Defense in times of war speaks to him from 10 or 15 meters away. Putin is paranoid and only select few ever come close t

On the other hand, even his Minister of Defense in times of war speaks to him from 10 or 15 meters away. Putin is paranoid and only select few ever come close to him. He had 23 years to select the most loyal people. I bet Putin did consider possible coup scenarios. If anything, I think it's more likely that people of Russia change their mind. Soldiers can surrender. Ordinary people can sabotage what they're doing. State officials and riot police can resign. All of that is unlikely, it requires to undo years of propaganda, and it has never happened in 23 years of Putin reign, but the situation is not ordinary either.