Chapter 3 – Security

The Journey from Domodedovo Airport (DME)

Weather report:

Cold, ice, gloomy and depressing, a typical December day in Moscow.

Moscow Domodedovo Airport:

Moscow Domodedovo Airport is an international airport located on the territory of Domodedovo, Moscow Oblast, Russia, 26mi or 42kms south-southeast from the centre of Moscow. Domodedovo is one of the three major Moscow airports along with Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo, as well as one of the largest airports in Russia and the former USSR in terms of passenger numbers and cargo. In 2017 it served over 30million passengers making it the second busiest airport in Russia. Domodedovo is Moscow’s only privately-owned airport and at this time it is still believed to be owned by Russian businessman.

Each group would arrive by personal jets supplied by Russian benefactors and fly to and from Zurich in Switzerland. Two jets would be used to transport the groups which would all travel independently.

Each Flight Manifest Includes:

  • Pilot and Co-Pilot (Sealed from Passengers)
  • 2 Cabin Crew, 1 Male and 1 Female
  • 1 Delegate
  • 3 Associates (Any combination of Males and Females of the delegates choosing)
  • Luggage
  • Supporting Equipment and Accessories

Reception Officials:

Any casual observer may question how few customs and security personnel are in attendance to process the visiting delegates. A brief show of officialdom and protocol ensures a casual glance at the passports and verification, then quickly through a standard x-ray screen which is operating in the default VIP mode. No indication is given by the technology of the weapons and equipment being transported by members of each group.

Each group would be accompanied and processed through the customs and special VIP area in less than five minutes before being handed over to the security personnel who waited outside the building in an imposing convoy of three specialist close protection vehicles.

Security – Personnel:

“Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm.” Sun Tzu (The Art of War).

The close protection personnel were all highly trained and English speaking operatives who were especially selected to provide not only physical security of clients but a comfortable atmosphere while business contacts conducted their affairs and/or during periods of spare time and entertainment. The officers blend in with the movements and lifestyle of the clients enabling them to live, travel and work with peace of mind.

Some of these officers have served in specialist military units such as Russia’s Alpha Group which is one of the best known special forces units in the world. This elite anti-terrorism unit was created by the KGB in 1974 and remains in service under its modern day counterpart, the FSB.

Close Protection Profiles:

Different bodyguarding scenarios require a different profile for the close protection team, and the choice of adopted profile is often as much a political as a practical consideration.

  • Military Overt Protection
  • Low-key Overt Protection
  • Covert Protection

Close Protection Equipment:

1. Weapons:

These were the standard small arms of the close protection personnel.

  • 9mm SR1PM Pistol

This weapon can hit targets at a range of up 100 m, but more importantly, “disable vehicles and effectively punch through all types of bulletproof vests at close range. This is possible due to the use of a special 9x21mm armour-piercing round. At a range of 50m, it can penetrate a IIIA-class vest, a sheet of steel 5mm thick, or titanium 2.4mm thick. No other Russian side arm can boast of having such armour piercing capabilities.”

Other cartridges have been developed for this weapon, including the SR11 low-ricochet round, the SR12 hollow point round, and the SR13 armour-piercing tracer. In 2013, the SPS began to be introduced into army special forces units.”

  • The PSS Pistol

“Silent Assassin” created by the Moscow-regional Central Scientific Research Institute for Precision Machine Engineering (TsNIITochMash) for use by Spetsnaz, was adopted in 1983. The gun’s sealed cartridge system allows for silent firing with no muzzle flash at a range of up to 50m. The gun doesn’t require a large silencer, and has very compact dimensions of just 170mm, and a weight of 850g.

The main distinguishing feature of the PSS is its 7.62×41.5mm SP-4 cartridge, specially created for the weapon, which has a very interesting action mechanic. A special piston is fitted between the powder charge and the bullet in the cartridge. When fired, the powder gases hit the piston, which pushes the bullet out of the barrel, wedging the neck of its casing. In this way, the powder gases remain inside the casing which almost completely eliminates the noise caused by firing.

The PPS has a capacity of only six rounds, but more are not needed for performing any special tasks. This includes things like eliminating a sentry quietly and with one shot

  • GSh-18 Pistol

For a sidearm, Spetsnaz operators generally carry the 9mm GSh-18. It’s made for close combat, has an 18 round magazine and bullets that can pierce body armour.

2. Extendable Telescopic Steel Baton

Kevlar briefcase that rapidly unfolds to present a bullet-proof shield in front of the VIP.

3. Body Armor

Body armor may be worn by both the VIP and the close protection personnel. Lightweight (kevlar)or heavyweight (ceramic plate) body armour may be used. Kevlar can protect against 9mm bullets as well as knife blades. The heavier ceramic plate armour can stop up to a 7.62mm round and shrapnel from explosive devices.

4. Respirators / Gas Masks

Gas masks for both the CP team and the VIP may be carried to protect against an attack by tear gas.

5. Wrap-around Sunglasses

These are worn as they prevent the crowd from seeing where the wearer’s eyes are looking.

6. Medical Packs

The CP team will have studied a full medical history of each VIP.

7. Administration Specialists

Backing the close protection personnel is a highly experienced team of administration specialists including project managers and event coordinators. These are specialists who are well trained in handling unplanned eventualities: a missed flight, flooded roads, changes to schedules, they have seen it all and solved it all.

8. Secure Encrypted Communication System

And supporting them is state-of-the-art IT systems that make every transaction as smooth and effortless as the luxury vehicles in our stable.

9. Custom Vehicles (see below)

Close Protection Procedures and Protocols:

  • Route Reconnaissance
  • Offensive Driving
  • Embussing / Debussing Techniques
  • Venue Reconnaissance

Vehicles – Range Rover Sentinels:

The Sentinel SUV is based on the standard wheelbase Range Rover. The vehicle delivers the supreme comfort, command driving position and all-terrain capability of the Range Rover, providing peace of mind thanks to outstanding occupant protection while, outwardly, looking identical to the standard model.

If the worst happens and the main doors are blocked by an accident or an attack, occupants can leave the vehicle via the Emergency Escape System behind the rear seats.

Optional protection features include under floor and under bonnet fire suppression systems, a customer configurable siren system, emergency service lights and an external speaker system to address people outside the vehicle from the safety of the cabin.

The Sentinel retains the plentiful legroom of the standard model that comfortably seats two full-size adults in the rear. A payload of up to 650kg can be carried thanks to revised Dynamic Stability Control and Ride Stability Control systems. The Command Driving Position found in all Range Rover vehicles remains, giving the driver a clear and unobscured view of the surroundings, particularly useful in the event of an attack.

The suspension has been up-rated to ensure Range Rover’s legendary ride comfort and handling are retained, yet still delivers precise on-road dynamics to allow occupants to escape attack. The Sentinel has undergone the same testing as a standard production vehicle and retains the outstanding off-road capability for which Land Rover is famous.

When it is time to leave in a hurry, run flat inserts in the tyres which are fitted to special 20in split rim alloy wheels allow the vehicle to be driven even if the tyres are deflated. This system ensures that however determined the attack, the Range Rover Sentinel can use the considerable performance of its 340PS 3.0 litre V6 supercharged petrol engine in conjunction with a specially-calibrated ZF 8-speed automatic transmission to escape. In addition, 380mm front and 365mm rear ventilated disc brakes, both with high-density pads, ensure impressive stopping power when needed.

Purely in terms of protection, the Sentinel is a far more advanced vehicle than the BMW X5 High Security. It can withstand armor piercing incendiary bullets and grenades. In addition, SVO has added smart features to set the vehicle apart from others in the segment. If you’re trapped in the vehicle and unable to open the doors, for example, you can escape via an emergency hatch hidden under the rear seats.

Main Features Include:

  • A 360 degree six-part armored safety cell without compromising internal luxury
  • Armor protection
  • Bullet resistant privacy glass same standard as armor
  • Standard Range Rover’s off-road capabilities meaning that there’s always an escape route

The Range Rover Sentinel really is a “luxurious all terrain fortress” in other words incredibly awesome!

All the delegates have been allocated separate arrival slots:

  • Taya Morozov with 3 male associates
  • Zhen Li with 1 male and 2 female associates
  • Suzu with 2 male and 1 female associates
  • Sabrina Belluci with 2 male and 1 female associates
  • Susanna Bancroft with 2 male and 1 female associates
  • Victoria Stafford with 2 male and 1 female associates
  • Tamara Krause with 1 male and 2 female associates

Route from Domodedovo Moscow Airport to conference venue:

Route 1 via A105   Journey Time approx. 50 mins

Route 2 via M4 Journey Time approx. 65 mins

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