Athens will be in total lock down during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is scheduled to arrive in the afternoon of Friday, May 27. Over 2,500 Greek police officers and security forces will take part in the operations, while the personal security of Vladimir Putin is also expected to take part in the planning. Security measures include special devices for the detection of explosive devices and mobile phone jamming software.

Putin, who will meet with Greek PM Alexis Tsipras and President of the Hellenic republic in Athens on Friday, will depart for his visit to the Orthodox Christian monastic community of Mount Athos in Macedonia, northern Greece on Saturday. Security measures around the Chalkidiki peninsula will also be draconian with special forces frogmen patrolling the sea. Due to heightened security measures traffic in Athens will be diverted in certain sections of the capital city.