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1 1 (September 14, 2020)

handle is hein.crs/govdbvq0001 and id is 1 raw text is: FF.ri E.$~ & September 14, 2020 Russian Law Enforcement and Internal Security Agencies Russia has an extensive internal security system, with multiple, overlapping, and competitive security agencies vying for bureaucratic, political, and economic influence. Since Vladimir Putin assumed Russia's leadership, these agencies have grown in both size and power, and they have become integral to the security and stability of the government. If Putin extends his rule beyond 2024, as is now legally permissible, these agencies could play a role in the leadership succession process and affect the ability of a transitional regime to quell domestic dissent. For Members of Congress, understanding the numerous internal security agencies in Russia could be helpful in assessing the prospects of regime stability and dynamics of a transition after Putin leaves office. In addition, Russian security agencies and their personnel have been targeted by U.S. sanctions for cyberattacks and human rights abuses. O , e.,,vk-wwz :-,, d Co,,',,ext After the Soviet Union's dissolution in 1991, Russia inherited the vast internal security apparatus overseen by the Committee for State Security (KGB). Although the KGB initially was broken up into several smaller organizations that were weakened by corruption, Putin's rise to the presidency in 2000 increased the security services' power and importance for regime security. As a former KGB member and head of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) from 1998 to 1999, Putin valued the security services; he installed close associates, many with backgrounds in security agencies, to head the various agencies. The relative power and influence of these agencies are often shaped by their leaders' close, personal connections to Putin. In Russia, internal security agencies are responsible for both the maintenance of law and order and the regime's security. They have overlapping roles, leading to competition among agencies to increase political influence, budgets, and control over lucrative issue areas for illicit gain. As a result, some observers contend, various internal security agencies use fabricated or selective prosecutions of regime opponents to demonstrate their utility to the political leadership. Competition is also a feature of Russia's internal security architecture. Analysts have noted the cannibalistic nature of the security agencies, with some conflicts leading to the ousting of agency leaders, the creation of new agencies, or even the total dissolution of agencies (such as the Tax Police in 2003 or the Federal Drug Control Service in 2016). In practice, competition prevents any one organization or leader from becoming too powerful, independent, or threatening to the political leadership. Often competition is factional, defined by personal relationships, and can cross organizational lines in pursuit of opportunities for enrichment and political advancement. Competition frequently leads to arrests and prosecutions, often for real or imagined corruption allegations to undercut targeted organizations and senior leadership both institutionally and politically. Russian Law Enforcement and Internal Security Agencies and Heads (as of September 2020) Ministry of Interior (MVD): Vladimir Kolokoltsev National Guard (Rosgvardiya, FSVNG): Viktor Zolotov * Special purpose Mobile Units (OMON) Special Rapid Response Detachment (SOBR) * Interior Troops (VV) Kadyrovtsy Federal Security Service (FSB): Alexander Bortnikov Federal Protective Service (FSO): Dmitri Kochnev * Presidential Security Service (SBP) Investigative Committee (SK): Alexander Bastrykin prosecutor General's Office: Igor Krasnov The Interior Ministry (MVD) oversees Russia's local police and criminal investigative forces. In 2011, Russia initiated a wide-ranging reform effort to professionalize its historically low-paid and corrupt police by raising salaries and training standards. Although media reporting and analysts still consider corruption to exist within the police, the MVD is largely a professional force with responsibilities ranging from criminal investigation to traffic control. It also has broad investigative powers into lucrative areas for corruption, such as economic and organized crime. Under the MVD's current leader, career police officer Vladimir Kolokoltsev, analysts have noted a hesitance to conduct blatantly political prosecutions and public order operations. This reflects, in part, the fact that most MVD officers spend much of their careers in the same communities, as well as the progress made in professionalizing the police. The MVD's hesitation to engage in political activities and Kolokoltsev's professional rather than personal relationship with Putin may have contributed to the loss of some political influence and increased the MVD's susceptibility to power grabs by rival agencies. Russia's National Guard (Rosgvardiya) was created in 2016 under the command of Putin's former bodyguard, Viktor Zolotov. The National Guard brings together 200,000- 250,000 of Russia's various public order and internal security forces deemed essential for regime security; these K~:> gognpo goo , q g 'S a X

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