Vladimir Putin has signed a decree regarding a new expansion of the central apparatus of the Federal Protection Service (FSO) — the fourth since the beginning of the large-scale invasion in Ukraine. According to the document, the maximum number of employees in the central apparatus of the FSO increases from 785 to 812 people.
The previous increase had been approved on January 1, 2025 (up to 785 people), and before this, the staff had been expanded on January 1, 2024 (up to 775) and at the end of 2022 (from 725 to 760). Before the war, the central apparatus of the FSO had not been expanded for almost 13 years, writes Moscow Times.
The Federal Protection Service is a covert force structure, responsible for the security of the most important official persons of the state: the president, prime minister, the chairpersons of the parliamentary chambers, the presidents of the supreme courts, and the attorney general. Its structure includes Vladimir Putin’s personal guard unit, which accompanies him on trips and ensures the security of residences and other objectives.
In addition, the FSO is responsible for special communications and public opinion monitoring. After the outbreak of the war, the role of this service has significantly increased, and according to the investigation “Important Stories”, it has transformed into a self-sufficient influence center, due to constant access to Putin and information about high-ranking officials.
According to the Financial Times, in recent months the FSO has significantly stepped up security measures around Putin. The Kremlin has grown fearful that the Russian leader could become the target of an assassination attempt, including through the use of drones, or a coup attempt. According to FT sources, these fears have intensified following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by American military forces. As a result, Putin has reduced his number of trips, and checks on individuals meeting with him have become stricter.
During the official visit to Kazakhstan at the end of May, the presidential motorcade was accompanied by an armored vehicle equipped with a machine gun mounted on the roof, a car equipped with electronic warfare systems, and a helicopter. According to FT, Putin and his family have almost ceased to appear at residences in Moscow and Valdai, preferring to spend entire weeks in bunkers, including in the Krasnodar region.