In the complex architecture of Russian power, the Federal Protective Service (FSO) and Rosgvardiya (Russian National Guard) serve as the two primary pillars responsible for domestic stability and the personal security of the Kremlin leadership. Both report directly to President Vladimir Putin, bypassing traditional ministries. The FSO (Federal Protective Service) The FSO is a secretive, elite agency often described as Putin’s “Praetorian Guard”. Primary Mandate: Protecting the President, high-ranking government officials, and critical state infrastructure like the Kremlin. Key Responsibilities: Beyond physical protection, it manages secure government communications, ensures cyber security for federal agencies, and even controls the “Cheget” (Russia’s nuclear briefcase). Structure: It includes the Presidential Security Service (SBP), a highly specialized unit that provides 24/7 close protection for the President. Rosgvardiya (Russian National Guard) Established in 2016, Rosgvardiya is a massive internal military force created to ensure public order and “coup-proof” the regime. Primary Mandate: Maintaining internal security, riot control, and combating terrorism and extremism. Capabilities: It commands roughly 340,000 personnel, including elite OMON (riot police) and SOBR (special rapid response) units. Expanding Role: While originally domestic-focused, Rosgvardiya has increasingly been deployed in the Russian invasion of Ukraine for rear-area security and territorial defense. Key Differences at a Glance Feature FSO Rosgvardiya Focus High-level VIP & infrastructure protection Broad internal security & public order Scale Smaller, highly secretive elite (est. 50,000) Large paramilitary force (~340,000) Visibility Discreet; often in plain clothes Highly visible; military gear & armored vehicles Leader General Dmitry Kochnev General Viktor Zolotov (Ex-FSO) Both agencies are integral to the Russian government’s strategy of preventing “color revolutions” and maintaining control over the political elite and the general public. Would you like to know more about the specific leadership of these organizations or how they interact with the FSB?