Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) chairs a meeting, dedicated to the creation of a national guard at the Kremlin in Moscow. Kremlin Press Service
Mark Galeotti, In Moscow's Shadows: Putin’s new National Guard – what does it say when you need your own personal army?
The idea of creating a National Guard (NG) for Russia bringing together public security forces under a single command has been raised periodically and always abandoned for very good reasons, not least the lack of any apparent need to have a Praetorian Guard on steroids. In 2012, for example, I didn’t think it likely: it would upend the balance of power within the security agencies, create a monster, and not really meet any true security need.
So what does it say that Putin today announced that such a natsgvardiya was going to be formed? After a meeting with security luminaries include MVD Interior Troops commander (and new NG head) Viktor Zolotov – a trusted ex-bodyguard – he announced [my translation]:
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WNU Editor: The appointment of Putin's friend and former bodyguard to head this new National Guard is raising eyebrows .... Putin Appoints Former Bodyguard Head of New National Guard (Moscow Times). I would also wager that the other intelligence and state security forces are wondering why this is being done .... and done now. My guess is that Putin is worried about his own security, and he is come to the conclusion that political unrest and opposition to his rule is going to grow in the next year (a prediction that I have also been making for the past year) and that he now needs an extra security service.
More News On Russian President Putin Creating A New National Guard
Russia's Putin creates national guard to fight terror, crime -- Reuters
Russia Creates National Guard to Fight Terror, Crime -- VOA
Russia's New National Guard Will Be Tasked to Suppress Riots -- AP
Putin Announces Establishment of Russian National Guard -- Moscow Times
Kremlin: National Guard likely to be involved in suppression of unauthorized mass actions -- TASS
Russian National Guard to Ensure Order, Security at Public Events, Rallies -- Sputnik
Russia’s newly-created National Guard to have no right to shoot at crowd — bill -- TASS
Putin May Task Newly Founded Russian National Guard to Use Weapons -- Sputnik
Former chief of Putin's security service appointed Russian National Guard chief — Kremlin -- TASS
What's Behind the Creation of Russia's New National Guard -- Sputnik
A Guard for Putin's Security -- Stratfor