Public security

What's Behind the Creation of Russia's New National Guard

On Tuesday, in a meeting with the heads of Russia's major internal defense and law enforcement agencies, President Putin announced the creation of a new federal executive body – the National Guard, which will be charged with fighting terrorism and organized crime, and with helping to maintain peace and order inside the country.

Formed out of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Guard, according to the president, will continue to work "in close cooperation" with the ministry.

For reference, the Ministry of Internal Affairs includes Russia's police and traffic police; the Internal Troops, meanwhile, constitute a gendarmerie-like paramilitary force.

The new National Guard's tasks, the president noted, will include those previously assigned to OMON and SOBR, tactical special rapid response forces whose functions include the maintenance of public order, assisting police (in a manner similar to SWAT in America), and maintaining order in the event of a state of emergency.

At the same time, the decree published on the president's website explains, the National Guard will also be charged with assuring territorial defense, preventing and dealing with internal armed conflicts, and guarding important facilities, such as nuclear power plants, and cargoes, as well as the protection of other property. The federal body, according to the decree, will also work with the Federal Security Service (Russia's main intelligence agency) in the protection of state borders.