Vladimir Putin has suddenly aborted a trip to a major Russian tank factory today for unexplained reasons.
He was expected to visit Yekaterinburg and tank plant Uralvagonzavod to oversee boosted tank production for his war in Ukraine.
Putin's limousine and back-up entourage had been moved to Nizhny Tagil with huge security measures in place.
Locals said snow had been cleared on streets in Nizhny Tagil for the first time this winter ahead of the visit.
Urals media outlet E1 said three sources had confirmed his sudden last minute cancellation.
The Kremlin leader had planned to fly to regional capital Yekaterinburg before visiting industrial Nizhny Tagil where tank plant Uralvagonzavod is based.
The abrupt cancellation will fuel speculation over his health problems or perceived security threats linked to the war in Ukraine.
The town, home to Uralvagonzavod, had been “preparing for days” for the Putin visit.
Yesterday, security was high at Moscow airports with flights to the Urals evidently linked to his trip.
Today his fleet of presidential Aurus cars was seen being readied to be moved out of Yekaterinburg, said observers.
The vehicles had been earlier brought to the city for the expected Nizhny Tagil visit, it was claimed.
The plant - which is now using prison labour to boost production of tanks and flamethrowers - was told at noon that Putin would not be visiting.
One report said: “The roads along the president's proposed route were cleaned [of snow] down to the asphalt.
“Learner drivers were banned from the streets and even the opening of the Christmas tree in the Dzerzhinsky district was cancelled, where, as planned, the Uralvagonzavod workshops would be inspected by [Putin].”
Earlier E1 quoted a local: “They are cleaning up and even taking the snow away, something incredible.
“This morning I drove past the [tank plant] — they even cleaned everything on the curbs, the snow is being removed from lawns.”
The outlet reported “unprecedented security measures” in the city ahead of the expected Putin visit.
“Precinct officers will check everyone who has a weapon registered to them, this will be the biggest focus.
“Special attention is paid to former snipers and sappers, those who dealt with explosives, as well as natives of Ukraine.
“They will look at whether they have weapons and in what condition, where they work and with whom they live, an at their psychological state.
“They will also come with an inspection to residents whose windows overlook the intended route of the motorcade.”
Two months ago Putin ally Dmitry Medvedev visited the plant and “shouted at the plant’s executive director Vladimir Roshchupkin” threatening a criminal case unless tank production was boosted for the war, it was reported.
A month later local convicted criminals were put to work in the plant.
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had been to plant in August in a forlorn bid to raise production.
Yesterday Putin was on his feet for 49 minutes taking questions from approved journalists, suggesting no health problems at a time his officials have been hit by flu.
Rumours abound that Putin is suffering from cancer and other serious medical conditions.
Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told Podyom that the Putin trip had not been announced as an event planned in his schedule, so “it should not have been expected”.
However this was contradicted by local officials who clearly expected it.
Later reports said Putin was today to visit the missile-making Shepunov instrument-making design bureau in Tula, far closer to Moscow.
This is despite five Aurus limos having been moved to the Urals - evidently including decoy cars, and the presence of at least one plane to guarantee his secret communications.
