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The Federal Service of Troops of National Guard of the Russian Federation (), officially known as the (),
Official website A website (also written as a web site) is any web page whose content is identified by a common domain name and is published on at least one web server. Websites are typically dedicated to a particular topic or purpose, such as news, education, ...
 is a federal executive body which is responsible for law enforcement, internal security, counter-terrorism and riot control of the
Russian Federation Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
. It is an independent agency that reports directly to the
President of Russia The president of Russia, officially the president of the Russian Federation (), is the executive head of state of Russia. The president is the chair of the State Council (Russia), Federal State Council and the President of Russia#Commander-in-ch ...
, under the president's powers as Commander in Chief of the
Russian Armed Forces The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, commonly referred to as the Russian Armed Forces, are the military of Russia. They are organized into three service branches—the Russian Ground Forces, Ground Forces, Russian Navy, Navy, and Russi ...
and Chairman of the
Russian Security Council The Security Council of the Russian Federation ( SCRF or Sovbez; ) is a constitutional consultative body of the Russian president that supports the president's decision-making on national security affairs and matters of strategic interest. Comp ...
. , the National Guard consisted of approximately 340,000 personnel in 84 units across Russia. It includes the forces of the former
Internal Troops of Russia The Internal Troops of the Ministry for Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation () was a paramilitary force of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Russia), Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia from 1991 to 2016. The Internal Troops was a g ...
,
SOBR The Special Rapid Response Unit or SOBR (), from 2002 to 2011 known as OMSN (''Otryad Militsii Spetsial'nogo Naznacheniya'', Special Police Unit), is a spetsnaz unit of the National Guard of Russia (Rosgvardiya).With their military equipmen ...
,
OMON OMON is a system of military special police units within the Armed Forces of Russia. It previously operated within the structures of the Soviet and Russian Ministries of Internal Affairs (MVD). Originating as the special forces unit of the So ...
, and other internal military forces outside of the
Russian Armed Forces The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, commonly referred to as the Russian Armed Forces, are the military of Russia. They are organized into three service branches—the Russian Ground Forces, Ground Forces, Russian Navy, Navy, and Russi ...
. The National Guard is separate from the Armed Forces. It became a federal executive body in 2016 by a law signed by President
Vladimir Putin Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, having previously served from 2000 to 2008. Putin also served as Prime Minister of Ru ...
. The National Guard states that its mission is to secure Russia's borders, take charge of
gun control Gun control, or firearms regulation, is the set of laws or policies that regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, or use of firearms and ammunition by civilians. Most countries allow civilians to own firearms, bu ...
, combat
terrorism Terrorism, in its broadest sense, is the use of violence against non-combatants to achieve political or ideological aims. The term is used in this regard primarily to refer to intentional violence during peacetime or in the context of war aga ...
and
organized crime Organized crime is a category of transnational organized crime, transnational, national, or local group of centralized enterprises run to engage in illegal activity, most commonly for profit. While organized crime is generally thought of as a f ...
, protect public order and guard important state facilities. The establishment of the National Guard was an effort to enhance efficiency and to avoid duplication of responsibilities within the Russian security system, a result of the large amount of strategic challenges faced by Russia. Additionally, the National Guard serves the function of suppressing civil strife or attempts of another " colour revolution", not only domestically, but also abroad, in friendly regimes. In 2017, President Putin designated 27 March, the same day Emperor
Alexander I Alexander I may refer to: * Alexander I of Macedon, king of Macedon from 495 to 454 BC * Alexander I of Epirus (370–331 BC), king of Epirus * Alexander I Theopator Euergetes, surnamed Balas, ruler of the Seleucid Empire 150-145 BC * Pope Alex ...
organised the in 1811 of the Old Style Julian calendar, as National Guard Day.


Official name

The National Guard of Russia is officially known as the Federal National Guard Troops Service of the Russian Federation (). In Russia, it is officially referred to by the acronym (, an initialism for ).


History

The entrance to the National Guard headquarters at 9 Krasnokazarmennaya Street in the South-Eastern Administrative Okrug of Moscow ">Moscow.html" ;"title="South-Eastern Administrative Okrug of Moscow">South-Eastern Administrative Okrug of Moscow The National Guard is a direct successor to
Internal Troops of Russia The Internal Troops of the Ministry for Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation () was a paramilitary force of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Russia), Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia from 1991 to 2016. The Internal Troops was a g ...
(1918–2016),
OMON OMON is a system of military special police units within the Armed Forces of Russia. It previously operated within the structures of the Soviet and Russian Ministries of Internal Affairs (MVD). Originating as the special forces unit of the So ...
(1988–2016), and
SOBR The Special Rapid Response Unit or SOBR (), from 2002 to 2011 known as OMSN (''Otryad Militsii Spetsial'nogo Naznacheniya'', Special Police Unit), is a spetsnaz unit of the National Guard of Russia (Rosgvardiya).With their military equipmen ...
(1992–2016) units formerly under the control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Russia)">Ministry of Internal Affairs An interior ministry or ministry of the interior (also called ministry of home affairs or ministry of internal affairs) is a government department that is responsible for domestic policy, public security and law enforcement. In some states, the i ...
. The establishment of the National Guard of Russia was one of the new Russian government's first and only significant actions before March 1992. At its inception, at least 11 brigades consisting of no more than 100,000 personnel were planned, each having between 3,000 and 5,000 personnel. National Guard military units were to be deployed in 10 regions, including three brigades in
Moscow Moscow is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Russia by population, largest city of Russia, standing on the Moskva (river), Moskva River in Central Russia. It has a population estimated at over 13 million residents with ...
, two in
St. Petersburg Saint Petersburg, formerly known as Petrograd and later Leningrad, is the second-largest city in Russia after Moscow. It is situated on the River Neva, at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea. The city had a population of 5,601, ...
, and more in a number of other important cities and regions. At its inception, many in Moscow, mostly former
Soviet Armed Forces The Armed Forces of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, also known as the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union, the Red Army (1918–1946) and the Soviet Army (1946–1991), were the armed forces of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republi ...
servicemen, expressed their desire to serve in the new National Guard. The National Guard was originally intended to be a temporary measure; however, it was never dissolved. A motion titled "on the temporary position of the Russian Guard" was tabled by then-president
Boris Yeltsin Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin (1 February 1931 – 23 April 2007) was a Soviet and Russian politician and statesman who served as President of Russia from 1991 to 1999. He was a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) from 1961 to ...
. Plans to create a National Guard that would be directly under the control of the president were first reported in April 2012. It would use personnel and resources belonging to the
Russian Airborne Troops The Russian Airborne Forces () is the airborne separate combat arm of the Russian Armed Forces. It is a rapid response force and strategic reserve that is under the President of Russia, reporting directly to the Chief of the General Staff, an ...
,
Air Force An air force in the broadest sense is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army aviati ...
,
Navy A navy, naval force, military maritime fleet, war navy, or maritime force is the military branch, branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval warfare, naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral z ...
and
Military Police Military police (MP) are law enforcement agencies connected with, or part of, the military of a state. Not to be confused with civilian police, who are legally part of the civilian populace. In wartime operations, the military police may supp ...
, as well as elements of Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations. P also conceived during the 2011–2013reportedly Russian protests. The establishment of the National Guard reportedly caused contention within the
Kremlin The Moscow Kremlin (also the Kremlin) is a fortified complex in Moscow, Russia. Located in the centre of the country's capital city, the Moscow Kremlin (fortification), Kremlin comprises five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Mosco ...
, since the new force took over duties and functions normally carried out by the
Ministry of Internal Affairs An interior ministry or ministry of the interior (also called ministry of home affairs or ministry of internal affairs) is a government department that is responsible for domestic policy, public security and law enforcement. In some states, the i ...
. A spokesman denied that the establishment of the National Guard meant a crisis of confidence in the so-called ''
siloviki In the politics of Russia, Russian political lexicon, a ''silovik'' ( rus, силовик, p=sʲɪlɐˈvʲik; plural: ''siloviki'', rus, силовики, p=sʲɪləvʲɪˈkʲi) is a person who works for any state organisation that is authori ...
'' and stated that the Federal Guard Service would retain its role. However, he did not comment on whether the then-incumbent heads of the Federal Drug Service and the
Federal Migration Service The Federal Migration Service (Федеральная миграционная служба, ФМС России) was a federal police, federal law enforcement agency of Russia responsible for implementing the state policy on migration and also pe ...
, which underwent major reforms after their subordination to the Interior Ministry, would retain their posts.


Establishment

The current iteration of the National Guard of Russia was created by President Putin on 5 April 2016 by
Presidential Decree A decree is a legal proclamation, usually issued by a head of state, judge, royal figure, or other relevant authorities, according to certain procedures. These procedures are usually defined by the constitution, Legislative laws, or customary l ...
. On 6 April 2016, Putin submitted a draft framework law for this new executive body titled "On the Russian National Guard Troops" to the
State Duma The State Duma is the lower house of the Federal Assembly (Russia), Federal Assembly of Russia, with the upper house being the Federation Council (Russia), Federation Council. It was established by the Constitution of Russia, Constitution of t ...
, along with its corresponding amendments that contain a provision for the protection of pregnant women, children, disabled persons and crowds, which mirrored the limitations already in place in the Russian legislation concerning police work: On 9 May 2016, 400 National Guardsmen participated in the
2016 Moscow Victory Day Parade The 2016 Moscow Victory Day Parade was a military parade that took place in Red Square in Moscow on 9 May 2016 to commemorate the 71st anniversary of the capitulation of Nazi Germany in 1945. The annual parade marks the Allied victory in World W ...
for the first time. Although the National Guard was created by Presidential Decree, a bill was not read and adopted by the State Duma for its official inception until 18 May and 22 June 2016, respectively. After being passed by the State Duma, it was then approved by the Federation Council The first National Guardsmen to be enlisted took their military oaths on 1 June 2016.


Establishment process phases

Presidential press secretary
Dmitry Peskov Dmitry Sergeyevich Peskov (, ; born 17 October 1967) is a Russian diplomat serving as the Kremlin Press Secretary, spokesman for President of Russia, Russian president Vladimir Putin since 2012.Viktor Zolotov Viktor Vasilyevich Zolotov (; born 27 January 1954) is a Russian military officer who is the Director of the National Guard (Rosgvardiya, concurrently serving as National Guard Forces Commander-in-Chief) and a member of the Security Council. Zo ...
, the formation of the Russian National Guard is to take place in three stages. The first phase is the transformation of Interior Troops, OMON, and SOBR units (previously framed within the
police The police are Law enforcement organization, a constituted body of Law enforcement officer, people empowered by a State (polity), state with the aim of Law enforcement, enforcing the law and protecting the Public order policing, public order ...
) into National Guard units. The second step involves the elaboration of the troops' organizational and staff structure, harmonizing regulations and assigning specific tasks to each unit. The third phase envisages the completion of all organizational activities of the National Guard.


First five years

In early 2017, in support of the efforts of
Vyacheslav Volodin Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin (, ; born 4 February 1964) is a Russian politician who currently serves as the 10th Chairman of the State Duma since 2016. He is a former aide to President Vladimir Putin. The former Secretary-General of the Unit ...
, the Russian National Guard formed a new cyber-intelligence division under the command of Larisa Goryachko (), who formerly was employed with the operational-search bureau of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the Ural Federal District as well as the central office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (), to "monitor the activity of citizens in social networks, revealing cases of extremism there" () over the entire internet according to Rosbalt news agency (). In 2019, the budget of the National Guard was increased by 5% from 111.9 billion rubles to about 117.5 billion rubles. During the same year, National Guardsmen from Saint Petersburg were apprehended after planting drugs on a 16-year-old. In February 2021, it was noticed that the National Guard had been used to silence pro- Navalny protests in an attempt by the Putin regime "to fend off threats to its political monopoly at any cost."


2021–present

In late July 2021, the National Guard staged their first-ever operational-strategic exercise simultaneously in every Russian federal district except the North Caucasian. On 21 November 2021, it was decided to classify National Guard budget requests. Early in January and February 2022, there were reports of National Guard detachments moving to the
Russia–Ukraine border The Russia–Ukraine border is the international boundary between Russia and Ukraine. Over land, the border spans five Russian Oblast, oblasts and five Ukrainian oblasts. Due to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in early 2014, the bo ...
and
Belarus Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus spans an a ...
, joining the supposed "training exercise" going on during the
2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis In March and April 2021, prior to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Armed Forces began massing thousands of personnel and military equipment near Russia's border with Ukraine and in Crimea, representing the largest mobil ...
. When Russian forces invaded Ukraine on 24 February, National Guardsmen moved into Ukrainian territory, establishing themselves in occupied cities and towns reportedly for the purpose suppressing local hostile population. The National Guard participated in combat situations with the
Ukrainian military The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are the Military, military forces of Ukraine. All military and security forces, including the Armed Forces, are under the command of the president of Ukraine and subject to oversight by a permanent Verkhovna Rad ...
and
Ukrainian National Guard The National Guard of Ukraine (NGU; , ; /NHU ) is the Ukrainian national gendarmerie and Internal Troops, internal military force. It is part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Ukraine), Ministry of Internal Affairs, responsible for public s ...
. Its units were deployed in the vanguard of the initial attack, suggesting that the Russian forces were not expecting much resistance from local Ukrainian forces. As a result, the National Guard had to act as a regular combat force, with reports that they suffered high losses. Ukrainian forces destroyed and captured military columns carrying
riot control Riot control is a form of public order policing used by law enforcement, military, paramilitary or security forces to social control, control, disperse, and arrest people who are involved in a riot, unlawful Demonstration (people), demonstration ...
equipment. On 13 March, the Chechen National Guard withdrew from Kyiv after suffering "hundreds" of casualties. It was reported on the same day that the National Guard helped to repress the 2022 anti-war protests in Russia, dispersing rallies and arresting protestors. On 15 March 2022, chief National Guardsman Viktor Zolotov, along with ten others in Russia's "Defense Enterprise," were sanctioned by the United States. All were added to the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. On 17 March, it was reported that National Guard Deputy Chief General Roman Gavrilov was fired due the operational failures of the National Guard during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On 25 and 28 March, a
BTR-80 The BTR-80 () is an 8×8 wheeled Amphibious vehicle, amphibious armoured personnel carrier (APC) designed in the Soviet Union. It was adopted in 1985 and replaced the previous vehicles, the BTR-60 and BTR-70, in the Soviet Army. It was first de ...
armored personnel carrier and armored Ural military truck were destroyed and several National Guardsmen were killed by the Transcarpathian 128th Mountain Assault Brigade of the
Armed Forces of Ukraine The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are the Military, military forces of Ukraine. All military and security forces, including the Armed Forces, are under the command of the president of Ukraine and subject to oversight by a permanent Verkhovna Rad ...
. On 2 June, it was reported that National Guard Unit #6720 had taken part in the
Bucha massacre The Bucha massacre (; ) was the mass murder of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war by the Russian Armed Forces during the fight for and occupation of the city of Bucha as part of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Photographic and video ...
, where at least ten of them participated in
looting Looting is the act of stealing, or the taking of goods by force, typically in the midst of a military, political, or other social crisis, such as war, natural disasters (where law and civil enforcement are temporarily ineffective), or rioting. ...
. "Nothing was neglected... not only financial savings, jewelry, computer or household appliances, but also of linen were established. After retreating to
Belarus Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus spans an a ...
, the Russian occupiers sent these items by mail to their relatives in Russia." On 6 June, President Putin ordered a 5 million ruble life insurance benefit payment to the families of National Guardsmen who died in Ukraine. On 22 May, 2023, it was reported that National Guardsmen would be deployed to defend
Belgorod Belgorod (, ) is a city that serves as the administrative center of Belgorod Oblast, Russia, located on the Seversky Donets River, approximately north of the border with Ukraine. It has a population of It was founded in 1596 as a defensiv ...
from the
Freedom of Russia Legion The Freedom of Russia Legion (FRL, ; ; abbr. ''ЛСР'', ''LSR''), also called the Free Russia Legion, is a Ukrainian-based Paramilitary, paramilitary unit of Russian citizens, which Opposition to Vladimir Putin in Russia, opposes the Russia u ...
. Since August 2023, the National Guard has been recruiting ex-
Wagner Wilhelm Richard Wagner ( ; ; 22 May 181313 February 1883) was a German composer, theatre director, essayist, and conductor who is chiefly known for his operas (or, as some of his mature works were later known, "music dramas"). Unlike most o ...
convicts that served in Ukraine and have proof of their pardon. Those who have breached Article 228 of the
Criminal Code of Russia The Russian Criminal Code () is the prime source of the Law of the Russian Federation concerning criminal offences. The 1996 Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (UGKRF) came into force on 1 January 1997. The new Criminal Code replaced the So ...
, however, require special approval. On 13 November 2023, it was reported that four former inmates who fought for the Wagner Group in eastern Ukraine had been receiving calls and text messages offering them military contracts. Three of the veterans reported that the National Guard specifically was trying to recruit them. A text message said, "Wagner is officially becoming a unit of Rosgvardia...The entire structure, methods of work and commanders remain the same." Other reports indicate that former Wagner fighters have joined Chechen Akhmat units whilst still wearing Wagner patches.


Mission

The missions of the National Guard of Russia include joint operations in securing borders (in assistance to the Border Service of Russia), fighting terrorism and organized crime, performing functions currently carried out by
riot A riot or mob violence is a form of civil disorder commonly characterized by a group lashing out in a violent public disturbance against authority, property, or people. Riots typically involve destruction of property, public or private. The p ...
and prison police, protecting public safety and order (along with the Ministry of Internal Affairs), and guarding important state facilities. The National Guard does not perform field investigation activities; however, it has powers in the spheres of weapons turnovers and control of private security activities. According to President Putin, another major responsibility of the National Guard is the overseeing of various kinds of security provisions, authorization systems for firearm possession, private security firms, and the management of the interior troops proper.


Operations abroad

Until final approbation, it is not yet clear whether the National Guard will be taking part in counter-terrorism operations abroad, with different sources reporting different assessments. However, according to the draft presidential decree, the National Guard was expected to get the right to interact with competent bodies of other countries, including for training relationships. The law includes the possibility of using National Guard troops in international operations "to restore and maintain peace." According to pro-Ukrainian sources, National Guard units were in
Donbas The Donbas (, ; ) or Donbass ( ) is a historical, cultural, and economic region in eastern Ukraine. The majority of the Donbas is occupied by Russia as a result of the Russo-Ukrainian War. The word ''Donbas'' is a portmanteau formed fr ...
in May 2016 in order to prevent the desertion of Novorussian soldiers.


Russian invasion of Ukraine

Early in January and February 2022, there were reports of National Guard detachments moving to the Russia–Ukraine border and Belarus, joining the supposed "training exercise" during the
2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis In March and April 2021, prior to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Armed Forces began massing thousands of personnel and military equipment near Russia's border with Ukraine and in Crimea, representing the largest mobil ...
. When Russian forces invaded Ukraine, National Guard troops started to move into Ukrainian territory, establishing themselves in occupied cities and towns, reportedly for suppressing local hostile population.


In Kherson

On 9 March, Ukraine claimed that in
Kherson Kherson (Ukrainian language, Ukrainian and , , ) is a port city in southern Ukraine that serves as the administrative centre of Kherson Oblast. Located by the Black Sea and on the Dnieper, Dnieper River, Kherson is the home to a major ship-bui ...
, one of the first Ukrainian cities occupied by Russia during its invasion of Ukraine, National Guard units moved in, arrested, and brutally beat close to 400 local residents after they peacefully protested against Russian occupation. While in the Ukrainian city of
Nova Kakhovka Nova Kakhovka (, ; ) is a List of cities in Ukraine, city in Kakhovka Raion, Kherson Oblast, southern Ukraine. Nova Kakhovka has been under Russian occupation of Kherson Oblast, Russian occupation since February 2022. Its estimated population ...
, National Guard forces attempted to disperse a rally by using sting ball grenades and firing into the crowd with rubber bullets, resulting in one death. On 21 March, it was reported that National Guard troops opened fire on a civilian protest in Kherson.


In Chernobyl

On 24 February, the National Guard, together with
Russian Ground Forces The Russian Ground Forces (), also known as the Russian Army in English, are the Army, land forces of the Russian Armed Forces. The primary responsibilities of the Russian Ground Forces are the protection of the state borders, combat on land, ...
, moved into the
Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) is a nuclear power plant undergoing decommissioning. ChNPP is located near the abandoned city of Pripyat in northern Ukraine, northwest of the city of Chernobyl, from the Belarus–Ukraine border, a ...
, attacking Ukrainian forces at the
Battle of Chernobyl During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone was captured on 24 February 2022, the first day of the invasion, by the Russian Armed Forces, who entered Ukrainian territory from neighbouring Belarus and seized the entire ...
. After Ukrainian forces withdrew, the National Guard occupied the power plant. Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman
Maria Zakharova Maria Vladimirovna Zakharova (, ; born 24 December 1975) is a Russian politician who serves as the director of the information and press department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federa ...
claimed that the Russian National Guard was running a "joint operation" with local workers and surrendered Ukrainian soldiers to maintain the Chernobyl's containment operations.


In Enerhodar

After the
Battle of Enerhodar On 4 March 2022, a military engagement took place between the Russian Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of Ukraine over the city of Enerhodar in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, on the southern front of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Enerhodar is the lo ...
, the National Guard occupied the
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station (; ) in southeastern Ukraine is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and among the 10 largest in the world. It has been under Russian control since 2022. It was built by the Soviet Union near the city ...
.


In Bucha

National Guard units from the
Kemerovo Oblast Kemerovo Oblast (, ), also known as Kuzbass (, ), after the Kuznetsk Basin, is a federal subjects of Russia, federal subject of Russia (an oblast). Kemerovo is the administrative center and largest city of the oblast. Kemerovo Oblast is one of Rus ...
suffered heavy casualties during the
Battle of Bucha The battle of Bucha was part of the Kyiv offensive (2022), Kyiv offensive in the Russian invasion of Ukraine for control of the city of Bucha, Kyiv Oblast, Bucha. The combatants were elements of the Russian Armed Forces and Ukrainian Ground Forc ...
.


Near Kyiv

Chechen " Kadyrovite" troops nominally under the National Guard deployed in combat roles in Ukraine, fighting in the Kyiv offensive and the
Siege of Mariupol The siege of Mariupol began on 24 February 2022 and lasted until 20 May, as part of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It saw fighting between the Russian Armed Forces (alongside the Donetsk People's Republic People's Militia) and the Ukrainian ...
, intended as a "psychological weapon against Ukrainians" and a vanguard force. Ukrainian sources claimed that the Chechen forces in Kyiv suffered "hundreds" of casualties and retreated from Kyiv on 13 March. On 28 September 2022, the
Prosecutor General of Ukraine The Prosecutor General of Ukraine (also ''Procurator General''; , ) heads the system of official prosecution in courts known as the Office of the Prosecutor General (, or, before 2020, ). The prosecutor general is appointed and dismissed by th ...
and
National Police of Ukraine The National Police of Ukraine (, ; /NPU ), often simply referred to as the (), is the national, and only, police service of Ukraine. It was formed on 3 July 2015, as part of the post-Euromaidan reforms launched by Ukrainian president Petro Por ...
published
CCTV Closed-circuit television (CCTV), also known as video surveillance, is the use of closed-circuit television cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place on a limited set of monitors. It differs from broadcast television in that the signa ...
footage showing National Guard personnel shooting at civilians during the
battle of Hostomel During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a military engagment was fought for control over the town of Hostomel between the Russian and Ukrainian armed forces. As part of an offensive on Kyiv, the Russian forces sought control over Hostomel, Buch ...
.


Blowback in Russia

On 25 March, twelve guardsmen from
Krasnodar Krasnodar, formerly Yekaterinodar (until 1920), is the largest city and the administrative centre of Krasnodar Krai, Russia. The city stands on the Kuban River in southern Russia, with a population of 1,154,885 residents, and up to 1.263 millio ...
deployed in
Crimea Crimea ( ) is a peninsula in Eastern Europe, on the northern coast of the Black Sea, almost entirely surrounded by the Black Sea and the smaller Sea of Azov. The Isthmus of Perekop connects the peninsula to Kherson Oblast in mainland Ukrain ...
were fired after they refused the order to cross the border on 25 February. The unit claimed that their duties were strictly limited to Russian territory, that they were not informed of possible "business trips" to Ukraine, and since they did not have their
passports A passport is an official travel document issued by a government that certifies a person's identity and nationality for international travel. A passport allows its bearer to enter and temporarily reside in a foreign country, access local aid ...
with them, could not enter foreign Ukrainian territory without violating Russian law. The guardsmen sued the National Guard for unfair dismissal and are appealing for reinstatement. According to their lawyer, Mikhail Benyash, after the case was publicized, almost a thousand National Guardsmen contacted him with similar cases. Mikhail Afanasyev, the chief editor of '' Novy Fokus'' in the Russian region of
Khakassia Khakassia (), officially the Republic of Khakassia, is a republic of Russia located in southern Siberia. It is situated between Krasnoyarsk Krai to the north and the Altai Republic to the south. The capital city of Khakassia is Abakan, and the ...
, was arrested in April 2022 because the authorities disliked his report on the Krasnodar refuseniks. On 27 May, it came to light that 115 guardsmen from
Nalchik Nalchik (, ; ; ) is the capital city of Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia, situated at an altitude of in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains; about northwest of Beslan (Beslan is in the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania). It covers an area of ...
, the capital of the
Kabardino-Balkarian republic Kabardino-Balkaria (), officially the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, is a republic of Russia located in the North Caucasus. As of the 2021 Census, its population was 904,200. Its capital is Nalchik. The area contains the highest mountain in ...
, had similar difficulties with foreign engagements because they were hired only to police domestic troubles and did not have military training. The lawsuit, drafted by a lawyer called Andrei Sabinin, came as a surprise to reporters and was discovered only because they had appealed their case. The lawsuit was dismissed after the judge determined that the soldiers had been rightfully fired for "refusing to perform an official assignment" to fight in Ukraine and instead returned to a duty station.


Powers

According to news agency
TASS The Russian News Agency TASS, or simply TASS, is a Russian state-owned news agency founded in 1904. It is the largest Russian news agency and one of the largest news agencies worldwide. TASS is registered as a Federal State Unitary Enterpri ...
, the National Guard has some powers similar to the functions discharged by the
Federal Security Service The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation �СБ, ФСБ России (FSB) is the principal security agency of Russia and the main successor agency to the Soviet Union's KGB; its immediate predecessor was the Federal Counterin ...
. Specifically, the National Guard is controversially allowed to fire into crowds in a select number of situations, such as terrorist incidents, hostage situations, or if a government building secured by the National Guard comes under attack, although the soldiers are forbidden in all circumstances from shooting at pregnant women, children, or people with disabilities. Troops can use physical force against direct threats to members of the public or fellow soldiers, special cargoes, structures along communications lines protected by National Guard troops and the National Guard troops’ facilities, as well as open and search cars, check for identification documents and detain citizens. The National Guard can seal off areas, especially for the purpose of preventing mass riots. They also have the authority to deliver illegal foreign vessels in Russian territorial waters in the
Kerch Strait The Kerch Strait is a strait in Eastern Europe. It connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, separating the Kerch Peninsula of Crimea in the west from the Taman Peninsula of Russia's Krasnodar Krai in the east. The strait is to wide and up ...
to Russian ports. In a state of emergency, the National Guard personnel have the right to ban the traffic of vehicles and pedestrians, use citizens’ cars to arrive at the scene of an emergency situation or chase criminals, enter houses, and use force, special means and/or weapons. According to the establishing law, National Guard troops exercise their activity on the basis of the principles of legality, the observance of the rights and freedoms of an individual and a citizen, single authority, and centralized control. According to Gordon M. Hahn, the rapid reaction forces and special operational forces and aviation of the National Guard remain under the MVD's operational command.


Subordination, organization and tasks related to defense

According to Aleksandr Golts of the Jamestown Foundation, on 24 May 2017, military units and formations of the
Armed Forces of the Russian Federation The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, commonly referred to as the Russian Armed Forces, are the military of Russia. They are organized into three service branches—the Ground Forces, Navy, and Aerospace Forces—two independent comba ...
as well as other military formations, may be transferred to the operational control of the National Guard. Within Russian presidential decree 04.06.2018 г. N 289, it is possible for the President of Russia to transfer units of the
Russian military The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, commonly referred to as the Russian Armed Forces, are the military of Russia. They are organized into three service branches—the Ground Forces, Navy, and Aerospace Forces—two independent comba ...
to a district commander of the National Guard. It is also possible to transfer units of the National Guard to the Russian military. The National Guard of Russia territorial units must always act together in collaboration with the Russian military and other federal and territorial bodies in accordance with federal constitution and laws, under decrees and orders of the President of the Russian Federation. All territorial unit boundaries of the National Guard must be created after a proposal of a commander of the National Guard that has previously been agreed upon with the Ministry of Defense and then approved by the President. The National Guard is, among other things, tasked with repelling aggression against the Russian Federation together with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and participates in the territorial defense of the Russian Federation.


Evolution of the proposed powers

In April 2016, the National Guard was expected to be vested with the right to request federal, state and local authorities, officials and citizens documents, reference and other materials required for decision-making on the issues referred to their spheres of activity, as well as to suspend or limit in emergency situations the use of any communications networks and communications means, and to exercise the right to the priority use of these communications networks and communications means. According to the draft provisions, the National Guard would to be allowed to shoot without warning "if delay in using them (firearms) could create a direct threat to the life or health of a citizen or National Guard soldier." According to the same draft provisions, the corps cannot exercise armed force against pregnant women, disabled people and minors, except for self-defense and other exceptional situations, although it will be authorized to block cars and pedestrians in extraordinary situations and use citizens' motor vehicles to come to the scene of an extraordinary event or chase criminals. Despite the draft provisions, Russian Duma's Committee on Defense made the recommendation to allow the National Guard to shoot into crowds. According to an amendment passed into the draft law, a serviceman of the National Guard has no right to use weapons in a crowded area, excluding the use of weapons in order to prevent terror attack, freeing hostages, repelling a group or armed attack on important state objects or cargos. Under similar conditions, the legislative amendments granted the National Guard the right to search individuals' vehicles.


Organization and leadership

The National Guard of Russia is directly subordinated to the supreme commander-in-chief (i.e. President of Russia) with the incumbent head of this new structure included into the
Security Council The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN) and is charged with ensuring international peace and security, recommending the admission of new UN members to the General Assembly, an ...
as a permanent member. In a major overhaul of Russia's security agencies, the National Guard which will include Interior Ministry troops, servicemen of the
Russian Armed Forces The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, commonly referred to as the Russian Armed Forces, are the military of Russia. They are organized into three service branches—the Russian Ground Forces, Ground Forces, Russian Navy, Navy, and Russi ...
, and, as proposed in 2012, Ministry of Emergency Situations personnel such as fire fighters and rescue workers consisting of both conscripts and contract personnel and will take over functions previously managed by the
OMON OMON is a system of military special police units within the Armed Forces of Russia. It previously operated within the structures of the Soviet and Russian Ministries of Internal Affairs (MVD). Originating as the special forces unit of the So ...
riot police and
SOBR The Special Rapid Response Unit or SOBR (), from 2002 to 2011 known as OMSN (''Otryad Militsii Spetsial'nogo Naznacheniya'', Special Police Unit), is a spetsnaz unit of the National Guard of Russia (Rosgvardiya).With their military equipmen ...
rapid-reaction forces. In turn, the
Federal Migration Service The Federal Migration Service (Федеральная миграционная служба, ФМС России) was a federal police, federal law enforcement agency of Russia responsible for implementing the state policy on migration and also pe ...
(FMS) and the Federal Drug Service (FSKN) are to be incorporated into the structure of the
Interior Ministry An interior ministry or ministry of the interior (also called ministry of home affairs or ministry of internal affairs) is a government department that is responsible for domestic policy, public security and law enforcement. In some states, the ...
. The National Guard was expected to number some 350,000 to 400,000 men. However, as of May 2016, the Russian government did not propose the size of the forces actually needed. The establishing Presidential decree points out that the transformation process should be completed by 1 June 2016. On 20 April 2016, National Guard Director Zolotov stated that the National Guard of Russia is to exclude the appointment of employees with low moral and professional qualities who have committed defamatory acts.


Top leadership

According to the establishing presidential decree, the National Guard is part of the executive branch, which is headed by the president of Russia. The National Guard is led by a "director," which has six deputy directors, including a first deputy director who is simultaneously Chief of Staff of the National Guard and a "state secretary/deputy director". On 5 April 2016, Viktor Zolotov, the former commander of Russian Interior Troops and former head of the Russian President's personal security service, was appointed as Director of the Federal National Guard Service and Commander of the National Guard Forces Command and relieved of his previous duties—and by a separate
Presidential Decree A decree is a legal proclamation, usually issued by a head of state, judge, royal figure, or other relevant authorities, according to certain procedures. These procedures are usually defined by the constitution, Legislative laws, or customary l ...
was also appointed a member of the
Security Council The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN) and is charged with ensuring international peace and security, recommending the admission of new UN members to the General Assembly, an ...
. On 20 May 2016, newly promoted Colonel General Sergei Chenchik was appointed as Chief of the General Staff and First Deputy Director of the Russian Federal National Guard Service. General Chenchik has reportedly a significant role in the North Caucasus security system since the late 1990s; according to Valery Dzutsati, Chenchik's appointment as deputy head of the National Guard indicates that his approach to security problems is approved. According to the official website, other top positions include those of Commander of the Troops of the National Guard of the Russian Federation, held in 2016 by Oleg Borukayev and Sergei Yerygin. As of January 2022, the current organizational leadership consists of: *
Viktor Zolotov Viktor Vasilyevich Zolotov (; born 27 January 1954) is a Russian military officer who is the Director of the National Guard (Rosgvardiya, concurrently serving as National Guard Forces Commander-in-Chief) and a member of the Security Council. Zo ...
, Director of the Federal Service of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation – Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation *
Viktor Strigunov The name Victor or Viktor may refer to: * Victor (name), including a list of people with the given name, mononym, or surname Arts and entertainment Film * ''Victor'' (1951 film), a French drama film * ''Victor'' (1993 film), a French shor ...
, First Deputy Director of the Federal Service of the National Guard of the Russian Federation – Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard of the Russian Federation * Oleg Plokhoi, State Secretary – Deputy Director of the Federal Service of the National Guard of the Russian Federation – Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard of the Russian Federation * Yury Yashin, Chief of the General Staff of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation – Deputy Director of the Federal Service of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation – Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation * Igor Ilyash, deputy director of the Federal Service of the National Guard of the Russian Federation – Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard of the Russian Federation * Sergei Lebedev, deputy director of the Federal Service of the National Guard of the Russian Federation – Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard of the Russian Federation * Aleksei Kuzmenkov, deputy director of the Federal Service of the National Guard of the Russian Federation – Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard of the Russian Federation * Aleksei Bezzubikov, deputy director of the Federal Service of the National Guard of the Russian Federation – Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard of the Russian Federation * Vladislav Yershov, deputy director of the Federal Service of the National Guard of the Russian Federation – Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard of the Russian Federation * Aleksandr Afinogentov, Chief of the Main Aviation Department – Chief of Aviation of the National Guard of the Russian Federation * Andrei Shatayev, Chief of the Department for Protection of Objects in the Waters of the Rosgvardiya – Commander of Naval Units of the National Guard of the Russian Federation


Cyber unit

According to Sergey Sukhankin of the
Jamestown Foundation The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington, D.C.–based non-partisan defense policy think tank. Founded in 1984 as a platform to support Soviet defectors, its stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends, which ...
, the National Guard includes a special cyber security and intelligence unit tasked with monitoring and analyzing online social networks.


Districts

The National Guard's territorial organization consists of eight National Guard Districts, which each have the same name as their relevant
Federal District A federal district is a specific administrative division in one of various federations. These districts may be under the direct jurisdiction of a federation's national government, as in the case of federal territory (e.g., India, Malaysia), or the ...
counterparts. An exception is the Eastern National Guard District, which handles military units stationed in the
Far Eastern Federal District The Far Eastern Federal District ( rus, Дальневосточный федеральный округ, p=dəlʲnʲɪvɐˈstot͡ɕnɨj fʲɪdʲɪˈralʲnɨj ˈokrʊk) is the largest and the least populated federal districts of Russia, federa ...
. In addition, the Central and Northwestern National Guard Districts have honorific titles included in their full names. Each District can be further subdivided into Brigades and has the same boundaries, names and headquarters as those of the former Internal Troops. Police officers are appointed as heads of the National Guard Districts, while military officers are appointed as chiefs of staff. Districts of the Federal National Guard Troops Service directly operate task forces, military units and carry out the other missions of the National Guard, as well as region-level territorial units, such as main administration departments, local administration structures, other departments. The National Guard Districts are the: * Central Orsha-Khingan Order of Zhukov Red Banner National Guard District, headquartered in
Moscow Moscow is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Russia by population, largest city of Russia, standing on the Moskva (river), Moskva River in Central Russia. It has a population estimated at over 13 million residents with ...
under Colonel General Igor Golloyev * Northwestern Order of the Red Star National Guard District, headquartered in
Saint Petersburg Saint Petersburg, formerly known as Petrograd and later Leningrad, is the List of cities and towns in Russia by population, second-largest city in Russia after Moscow. It is situated on the Neva, River Neva, at the head of the Gulf of Finland ...
under Colonel General
Pavel Dashkov Prince Pavel Mikhailovich Dashkov FRS (12 May 1763 – 1807) was a Russian engineer. Life He was the son of Yekaterina Romanovna Vorontsova-Dashkova and Mikhail Ivanovich Dashkov (1736–1764). He was educated at the University of Edinburgh, fro ...
* Volga National Guard District, headquartered in
Nizhny Novgorod Nizhny Novgorod ( ; rus, links=no, Нижний Новгород, a=Ru-Nizhny Novgorod.ogg, p=ˈnʲiʐnʲɪj ˈnovɡərət, t=Lower Newtown; colloquially shortened to Nizhny) is a city and the administrative centre of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast an ...
under Colonel General Aleksandr Poryadin * Southern National Guard District, headquartered in
Rostov-on-Don Rostov-on-Don is a port city and the administrative centre of Rostov Oblast and the Southern Federal District of Russia. It lies in the southeastern part of the East European Plain on the Don River, from the Sea of Azov, directly north of t ...
under Colonel General Oleg Kozlov * North Caucasian National Guard District, headquartered in
Pyatigorsk Pyatigorsk (; Circassian languages, Circassian: Псыхуабэ, ''Psıxwabæ'') is a types of inhabited localities in Russia, city in Stavropol Krai, Russia, located on the Podkumok River, about from the town of Mineralnye Vody, which has an i ...
under Colonel General Sergei Zakharov * Ural National Guard District, headquartered in
Yekaterinburg Yekaterinburg (, ; ), alternatively Romanization of Russian, romanized as Ekaterinburg and formerly known as Sverdlovsk ( ; 1924–1991), is a city and the administrative centre of Sverdlovsk Oblast and the Ural Federal District, Russia. The ci ...
under Colonel General Aleksandr Popov * Siberian National Guard District, headquartered in
Novosibirsk Novosibirsk is the largest city and administrative centre of Novosibirsk Oblast and the Siberian Federal District in Russia. As of the 2021 Russian census, 2021 census, it had a population of 1,633,595, making it the most populous city in Siber ...
under Lieutenant General Nikolai Markov * Eastern National Guard District, headquartered in
Khabarovsk Khabarovsk ( ) is the largest city and the administrative centre of Khabarovsk Krai, Russia,Law #109 located from the China–Russia border, at the confluence of the Amur and Ussuri Rivers, about north of Vladivostok. As of the 2021 Russian c ...
under Lieutenant General Kurbonali Safarov


Educational organizations

The educational organizations of the National Guard operate directly under the Director of the National Guard.


St. Petersburg National Guard Forces Command Military Institute

Located in St. Petersburg, the National Guard Forces Command Military Institute serves as the training facility for the National Guard's National Guard Forces Command personnel, including officers, warrant officers and non-commissioned officers. It was established on 4 September 1947 as the MVD Central School and since then has had many name changes before acquiring its present title in 2016.


Saratov Institute of the National Guard

Located in
Saratov Saratov ( , ; , ) is the largest types of inhabited localities in Russia, city and administrative center of Saratov Oblast, Russia, and a major port on the Volga River. Saratov had a population of 901,361, making it the List of cities and tow ...
, the Saratov Institute of the National Guard trains officers for service in the National Guard.


Perm Military Institute of the National Guard

The Perm Military Institute is the only military educational institution of the National Guard that trains specialists with higher professional education in 8 specialties with qualifications.


Moscow Presidential Cadets School

The Moscow National Guard Presidential Cadets School is a pre-university specialized educational institution of the National Guard. It was opened on 2 September 2002 in the Southeast Administrative District of Moscow in the Kuzminki district.


Uniform

Before their uniform reformations, some units of the National Guard wore blue variants of various Russian camouflages like
Police of Russia The Police of Russia () is the national Law enforcement in Russia, law enforcement agency of Russia, operating under the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs from . It was established on by decree of Peter the Gre ...
, such as
tiger stripe camouflage Tiger stripe is the name of a group of camouflage patterns developed for close-range use in dense jungle during jungle warfare by the South Vietnamese Armed Forces and adopted in late 1962 to early 1963 by US Special Forces during the Vietnam W ...
and KLMK, during urban policing. During military exercises, parades, and combat deployments, the National Guard uses greener versions of the aforementioned camouflage patterns plus
Flora Flora (: floras or florae) is all the plant life present in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring (indigenous (ecology), indigenous) native plant, native plants. The corresponding term for animals is ''fauna'', and for f ...
and EMR until 2021. In 2022, the standard camouflage patterns of Rosgvard are ATACS FG and ATAKA Moss (Russian domestic variant of ATACS). Rosgvard wears SURPAT on jackets occasionally.


Equipment

The National Guard has the same equipment as the former Internal Troops. The AK-74 and AK-74M assault rifle variants are the primary service weapon of the Russian National Guard. Special operations units attached to the National Guard are armed with AS Val sub-sonic suppressed assault rifles. Other weapons include weapons against underwater sabotage forces and non-lethal weapons. On 4 August 2023, the Russian President
Vladimir Putin Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, having previously served from 2000 to 2008. Putin also served as Prime Minister of Ru ...
signed a federal law giving the National Guard the right to have heavy weapons. Deliveries of tanks, artillery and mortars have reportedly started as of May 2024.


Domestic and international reactions

The establishment of the Russian Federal National Guard Service triggered several domestic and international reactions and assessments, with attempts to interpret and explain the move, ranging from power games to plans to prevent "colour revolutions".


State Duma reactions

On the first reading of the draft law, held on 18 May 2016, ruling party
United Russia The All-Russian Political Party United Russia (, ) is the Ruling party, ruling List of political parties in Russia, political party of Russia. As the largest party in the Russian Federation, it holds 325 (or 72.22%) of the 450 seats in the St ...
, nationalist leader
Vladimir Zhirinovsky Vladimir Volfovich Zhirinovsky (, , né Eidelstein, ; 25 April 1946 – 6 April 2022) was a Russian right-wing populist politician and the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) from its creation in 1992 until his death in 20 ...
and
A Just Russia A, or a, is the first letter and the first vowel letter of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, and others worldwide. Its name in English is '' a'' (pronounced ), plural ''aes''. It is similar in shape to the Ancient ...
backed the establishment of the National Guard, with
A Just Russia A, or a, is the first letter and the first vowel letter of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, and others worldwide. Its name in English is '' a'' (pronounced ), plural ''aes''. It is similar in shape to the Ancient ...
MP Mikhail Yemelyanov holding that there is no reduction of democracy in Russia. On the other hand, Communist MP Vyacheslav Tetekin said that the
Communist Party of the Russian Federation The Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF; ) is a communist political party in Russia that officially adheres to Marxist–Leninist philosophy. It is the second-largest political party in Russia after United Russia. The youth o ...
does see a link between the move and the bad conditions of the Russian economy; according to Tetekin, assigning all combat units to a separate structure would critically weaken the Interior Ministry and that assigning to the National Guard the task to license private security firms had nothing to do with countering terrorism and extremism.


Analysis

With the timing of President Putin's creation of this National Guard force coming ahead of the 2016 parliamentary election to the
State Duma The State Duma is the lower house of the Federal Assembly (Russia), Federal Assembly of Russia, with the upper house being the Federation Council (Russia), Federation Council. It was established by the Constitution of Russia, Constitution of t ...
in Russia and crashing oil prices, Pavel Felgengauer, an independent military analyst based in Moscow, said this new force is "a kind of
Praetorian Guard The Praetorian Guard (Latin language, Latin: ''cohortes praetoriae'') was the imperial guard of the Imperial Roman army that served various roles for the Roman emperor including being a bodyguard unit, counterintelligence, crowd control and ga ...
to deal with the internal enemy" and further stated "It reminds me of the
decline and fall of the Roman Empire ''The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'', sometimes shortened to ''Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'', is a six-volume work by the English historian Edward Gibbon. The six volumes cover, from 98 to 1590, the peak of the Ro ...
. We see an aging emperor appointing his bodyguard chief of everything."
Mark Galeotti Mark Galeotti (born October 1965) is a British historian, lecturer and writer on transnational crime and Russian security affairs and director of the consultancy Mayak Intelligence. He is an honorary professor at the UCL School of Slavonic and Ea ...
, professor at
New York University New York University (NYU) is a private university, private research university in New York City, New York, United States. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded in 1832 by Albert Gallatin as a Nondenominational ...
, wrote in a post on his blog "'In Moscow's Shadows, that " ational Guardforces have little real role fighting crime or terrorism; they are public security forces, riot and insurrection control and deterrence assets." Konstantin Gaaze, a Moscow-based political analyst and journalist with the
Carnegie Moscow Center The Carnegie Moscow Center () was a Moscow-based think tank that focuses on domestic and foreign policy. It was established in 1994 as a regional affiliate of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. It was the number one think tank in Cen ...
, said this new force was "linked to the election cycle" and that "Putin wants to make sure the situation that took place on the
Maidan Maidan is an originally Persian word for a town square or public gathering place (Persian: ), adopted by various other languages: Urdu (''maidān''); Arabic (''maydān''); Turkish ; Georgian (''moedani''); Bangla ময়দান, meaning f ...
, in Ukraine, won't happen in Russia." Gaaze further said that Putin's creation of the National Guard created a counterbalance not only to the Federal Security Forces, but also to the
Russian Army The Russian Ground Forces (), also known as the Russian Army in English, are the Army, land forces of the Russian Armed Forces. The primary responsibilities of the Russian Ground Forces are the protection of the state borders, combat on land, ...
itself and
Defense Minister A ministry of defence or defense (see spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is the part of a government responsible for matters of defence and military forces, found in states where the government is divid ...
Sergei Shoigu Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu; , . (born 21 May 1955) is a Russian politician and military officer who has served as secretary of the Security Council since 2024. He served as Minister of Defence of Russia from 2012 to 2024. Shoigu has served a ...
stating: "The newly established National Guard is the president's army in the literal sense of the word. An army, which can be used without intermediaries in the form of a defense minister and without the constitutional rules on the use of the Armed Forces." Ella Paneyakh, senior researcher for the Department of Political science and Sociology at the
European University at Saint Petersburg The European University at Saint Petersburg (), sometimes referred to as EUSP, is a non-state graduate university located in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was founded in 1994. The main language of instruction at the university is Russian. Howe ...
, said that this new National Guard force was not just another
law enforcement agency A law enforcement agency (LEA) is any government agency responsible for law enforcement within a specific jurisdiction through the employment and deployment of law enforcement officers and their resources. The most common type of law enforcement ...
, but another army that had the right to conduct military operations against the country's citizens. Russian political scientist
Gleb Pavlovsky Gleb Olegovich Pavlovsky (; 5 March 1951 – 27 February 2023) was a Russian political scientist who also described himself as a "political technologist". During the Soviet era, he was prosecuted as a dissident. From 1996 to 2011, he was a pol ...
, who heads the analytics department of the Center for Political Technologies (CPT), said Putin's creation of the National Guard was to counter the power of Chechen leader
Ramzan Kadyrov Ramzan Akhmatovich Kadyrov (born 5 October 1976) is a Russian politician and current head of the Chechen Republic. He was formerly affiliated with the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, Chechen independence movement, through his father who was the ...
. Tatiana Stanovaya, who heads the Center for Political Technologies (CPT) in France, in commenting on Viktor Zolotov's appointment to head the National Guard said: "The unnecessary link, that of a minister between the commander-in-chief and the head of the National Guard is removed. Whoever the minister is, a brother, friend, classmate or judo coach, his hand may tremble when you need him to execute an order. Zolotov is protected from those fluctuations as much as possible." Researcher Gordon M. Hahn for ''The Duran'' deemed the probability of a "palace coup" as being minor compared to other scenarios, saying that the National Guard is an added insurance against a regime split, palace coup, or other elite politics. Another "power game"-related reason may be, according to Hahn, the will to reduce power of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.


National Guard as a tool against strategic destabilization

According to Roger McDermott of
The Jamestown Foundation The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington, D.C.–based non-partisan defense policy think tank. Founded in 1984 as a platform to support Soviet defectors, its stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends, which i ...
, the National Guard was established in order to counter future colour revolutions and to link foreign and domestic threat assessments as part of a seamless web. McDermott links the origins of the corps to experience acquired during internal crises and power games among key actors in the 1990s, as well as to future colour revolutions abroad, especially close to the Russian borders and in Middle East. In this view, the 2016–2017 election cycle in Russia supplied domestic context for the timing of the implementation of the 2016 reform aimed to counter a strategic threat, but the deep reason does not lie into the actual elections. Gordon M. Hahn lists possible reasons behind the establishment of the National Guard as inter-departmental tension, violent conflict, and even armed clashes possible in conditions of potential greater instability. According to former
Federal Security Service The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation �СБ, ФСБ России (FSB) is the principal security agency of Russia and the main successor agency to the Soviet Union's KGB; its immediate predecessor was the Federal Counterin ...
Director and Russian Parliament Member Nikolai Kovalyov, the establishment of the National Guard was important amid
NATO The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO ; , OTAN), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental organization, intergovernmental Transnationalism, transnational military alliance of 32 Member states of NATO, member s ...
's eastward
expansion Expansion may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media * ''L'Expansion'', a French monthly business magazine * ''Expansion'' (album), by American jazz pianist Dave Burrell, released in 2004 * ''Expansions'' (McCoy Tyner album), 1970 * ''Expansi ...
.


Official comments of Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a televised debate, denied any mistrust in the National Guard, saying that the Guard's direct subordination to the President comes from the fact that they have the authority of a ministry, and as a power ministry, it reports to the President.


Media

The National Guard of Russia has published the full-color magazine ''In the Line of Duty'' for their troops since 1958. It is stated to cover matters of the corps' service activity, as well as history and literature. The media is not allowed to report on the location of National Guard soldiers, in order to "protect the safety of the troops and their families."


See also

*
Special Corps of Gendarmes The Separate Corps of Gendarmes () was the uniformed security police of the Imperial Russian Army in the Russian Empire during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its main responsibilities were law enforcement and state security. The responsi ...
*
Internal Troops of Russia The Internal Troops of the Ministry for Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation () was a paramilitary force of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Russia), Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia from 1991 to 2016. The Internal Troops was a g ...
*
National Guard Forces Command The National Guard Forces Command of the Russian Federation () is the operational gendarmerie component of the National Guard of Russia federal agency, created through a presidential decree on April 5, 2016. Functionally, it is a gendarmerie o ...
*
National Guard Naval Service Corps The National Guard Naval Service Corps () is the naval service, water police and coast guard branch of the National Guard Forces Command, National Guard of Russia. Formerly the Naval Service of the Internal Troops of Russia, it was established ...
* Awards of the National Guard of the Russian Federation *
Police of Russia The Police of Russia () is the national Law enforcement in Russia, law enforcement agency of Russia, operating under the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs from . It was established on by decree of Peter the Gre ...


References


External links

* {{Government of the Russian Federation 2016 establishments in Russia
Russia Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
Law enforcement agencies of Russia Military of Russia Military units and formations established in 2016