In 2016, the National Guard was formed in Russia. Now this organization has grown greatly, and it has tens of thousands of military personnel.

The troops are designed to ensure security within the state, to fight extremists and protesters.

You can often hear how the Russian Guard is called the "personal army" of the president, because. this structure is subordinate to the commander-in-chief, i.e. head of state. But is it really so?

Structure and powers

The structure includes the following special services:

• SOBR;
• OMON;
• Federal State Unitary Enterprise "PROTECTION" of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
• Center for Special Purposes of Rapid Response Forces and Aviation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
• Bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for supervision in the field of arms trafficking and private security activities;
• National Guard.

Now the head of the structure is Viktor Zolotov, who has been personally working with the president for a long time.
This organization has a number of powers:

1. Demand order from the population.
2. Prevent the occurrence of crimes or infringement of the rights of citizens.
3. Check the documents of the population if there is a reason to suspect people of committing illegal acts, being wanted, and other serious grounds.
4. Demand from officials and the population to stop illegal actions.
5. Protect the scene of the incident until the authorities arrive. Also, the guard may require citizens to leave the protected place.
6. Accept, store or destroy seized/surrendered weapons.

These are only the main powers of the guard, and in fact its capabilities are much wider.

National Guard and police: what is the difference

In theory, each department should have its own specific name, and the functions of these organizations should not overlap.

However, the powers of the Russian Guard intersect with the activities of the police and the FSB (the fight against terrorism in the country and ensuring the integrity of the Russian Federation).

Representatives of the Russian Guard can drive cars with flashing lights. They are also allowed to use special equipment if necessary. Here are the main differences between this structure and the police:

1. Subordination. The police are subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, while the troops of the Russian Guard are subordinate to the president of the country.
2. Independence. In financial terms, the National Guard is an independent organization. It has all the financial functions of the police, and the annual turnover of the organization is about 20 billion. Also, the troops of the National Guard can control the circulation of weapons and are empowered to license security activities.
3. Tasks. The police maintain order and apply sanctions to violators, then the guard is called upon to protect state integrity and order.
4. The use of weapons. This is perhaps one of the main differences between the National Guard and the police. Employees of both structures have the right to use weapons. Only here in the law "On Police" it is clearly stated that the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs can use weapons in order to protect citizens, in case of encroachment on their health and life. This clause is absent in the law on the Russian Guard, which significantly expands the capabilities of this structure.

How to get a job

To get a job in the National Guard, you need to pass a number of requirements:

1. Health status. After passing the examinations, the conscript in the military registration and enlistment office receives a health category (A-D). Those who are fit for service and fit for service with minor restrictions are accepted for service in the Russian Guard, i.e. people with A and B health categories.
2. Psychological health. Also, future employees must undergo a psychological selection. Based on the selection results, a person is assigned 1 of 4 fitness categories. Basically, people with categories 1 and 2 are hired, in rare cases - 3. The last category is considered not recommended.
3. Additional requirements. In addition to these requirements, the future employee must have a sufficient level of physical fitness, education and qualifications.
   Both civilians and military personnel can become guardsmen. To do this, you need to apply to the commander of the unit. He makes the decision to accept. If a person who wants to get into the guard has no contradictions for the service, he is given directions for passing medical examinations, tests for the psyche and the delivery of standards for physical fitness.

Salary

The salary of a guardsman depends on:

• ranks and positions;
• the amount of monetary allowances;
• employee allowances;
• material assistance to the guards.

Now the salary of an ordinary guardsman is 25,000 rubles a month, and an officer-rank guardsman earns about 55,000 rubles. These are averages and numbers may vary depending on the region of service.

It is important to note that in regions with adverse environmental and weather conditions, the salary of a guardsman is noticeably higher than the salary of an employee working in large cities.

To the complaints of military personnel about low wages, the command promises employees to significantly increase wages, but this will not happen soon.
It should be noted that Vladimir Putin recently increased funding for the National Guard, and military personnel can expect a salary increase of about 4-5% in the near future.

Benefits for military personnel

The guards themselves and their families have a number of state benefits:

• health and life insurance;
• free vacation;
• receiving free medical services;
• the possibility of obtaining a mortgage loan on preferential terms at a rate of less than 10%.

It is worth noting that the longer the service life of the guardsman, the better the benefits from the state. For example, an employee who has been in the service for less than 10 years will receive free rest for a period of 30 days. Employees over 20 years of age will be granted 45 days of rest. Also, the benefits are significantly affected by the personal merits of the employee: participation in hostilities, service in adverse conditions, etc.

The National Guard is a young structure that is developing at a tremendous pace. The organization was created only 3 years ago, and it already includes more than 350,000 employees (1/3 of the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs). Therefore, joining the National Guard is a profitable and promising goal. However, it should be understood that there are certain requirements for the health of employees, so not everyone will be selected.

March 27 at Russian Federation military personnel, police officers and civilian personnel of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation celebrate their professional holiday.

I would like to tell you what this service is at the present time, the history of its development and the most striking and interesting moments during its existence.

In Russia, until the beginning of the 19th century, there were no special armed formations to maintain order and ensure the safety of the population, to provide assistance to people in case of natural Disasters and other law enforcement tasks.

IN XVI-XVII centuries some of these functions were performed mainly by units of the Streltsy troops. Under Ivan the Terrible, formations of the so-called "residents" were created to protect Moscow. It was an army consisting of serving nobles, numbering about three thousand people. Subsequently, units of "residents" were placed in Kyiv, Belgorod, Kursk and some other cities.

Under Peter I, internal security in the state was provided mainly by formations of soldiers incapable of field service. They were called "garrisons", later - "garrison" and (or) "internal battalions" and were a reserve of field troops.

The development of internal troops can be divided

for four historical periods:

1. The initial period (1811-1917), which lasted more than a hundred years, from the creation of internal guard troops, their reorganization into local troops and escort guards to October revolution 1917.

2. The Soviet period (1917-1991) - the formation of the troops of the Cheka-OGPU-NKVD-MGB-MVD of the USSR, their formation, development and service and combat activities.

3. Modern period (from 1991 - 2016). - internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.

4. The troops of the National Guard of the Russian Federation were transformed from the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia while maintaining the structure of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. Initial period Fundamental changes in the provision of internal order and escort service in Russia took place during the reign of Emperor Alexander I.

On March 27, 1811, Emperor Alexander I issued a Decree on the replenishment of garrison battalions, which became known as "provincial battalions" and were soon merged into a single structure - internal Russian guard.

On July 3, 1811, Alexander approved the Regulations for the internal guard, which determined its purpose and tasks. They were: the fight against robbers, robbers and other criminals; detention of fleeing criminals and deserters; combating the smuggling of smuggled and prohibited goods; ensuring order and security during, as we say now, mass events - fairs, folk festivals, church holidays; rendering assistance to the population in case of natural disasters - floods, fires and others, escorting prisoners, prisoners, recruits, the state treasury (large sums of money) and other law enforcement tasks.

The first commander of the internal guard was General E.F. Komarovsky, a professional military man, a participant in the Italian and Swiss campaigns (1799) of the Russian army under the command of A.V. Suvorov, then assistant to the St. Petersburg military governor. An experienced and talented administrator and military leader, E.F. Komarovsky led the internal guard for more than 17 years.

By royal decree of July 25, 1829, 5 linear battalions and 3 mobile companies were formed to protect the mining plants of the Urals and Nerchinsk, where gold and silver were mined, the St. Petersburg Mint. They were supported by the Ministry of Finance. We can say that these were the first units for the protection of important industrial facilities and escort of special cargo.

Radical transformations of the internal guard took place in the 60s of the XIX century in the course of the military reform being carried out in Russia. Then in Russian army The district command and control system was introduced. The entire territory of the country was divided into military districts. In August 1864, the headquarters of the Separate Corps and the district of the internal guard were abolished, and the brigades and battalions were reorganized into the corresponding units of the local troops, which also included escort teams. Local troops were part of the corresponding military district.

The next stage in the reform of the internal security forces took place in 1886, when the escort teams were consolidated into escort guards. By order of the Military Department of May 16, 1886, it was ordered to form 567 (actually 530) teams for escort service on the basis of the existing stage, escort and local teams.

The recognition of the merits of the internal and escort guards before the people and the Fatherland was the celebration on March 27, 1911 of the 100th anniversary of the local troops and escort guards. In honor of the anniversary, a badge was established for presentation: to officers - from silver; the lower ranks are made of white metal.

After the February Revolution, local troops and guards voluntarily transferred to the service of the new government. March 12, 1917 chief inspector after sending the prisoners, Lieutenant-General N.I. Lukyanov, together with the officers of his office, swore "allegiance to the service of the Motherland and the Provisional Government", which he informed his subordinates in order No. 1.

Development of internal troops (1917 - 1991)

In 1917 the old army was disbanded. The escort guard has not undergone significant changes, continuing to perform its functions in a reformed form under the Soviet regime.

The October Revolution broke the old state institutions authorities, but it soon became clear that it was impossible to manage the country without law enforcement agencies. Already the first days of the existence of Soviet power showed that in order to establish a new system, not only the army, navy, bodies government controlled, but also special forces to prevent counter-revolutionary actions within the country and fight them, to establish and maintain revolutionary order in the localities, to protect important institutions, enterprises, railways, escort and protection of counter-revolutionary elements, criminals and other tasks. On May 28, 1919, a resolution of the Council of Workers 'and Peasants' Defense "On Auxiliary Forces" was adopted. Now these formations began to be called "troops of the internal protection of the Republic (VOKhR)". This event was a milestone in the construction of the internal troops of the Soviet state.

On September 1, 1920, on the basis of the troops of the internal security of the Republic and other formations, the troops of the internal service of the Republic (VNUS) were created. On January 19, 1921, the VNUS troops were transferred to the military department. The exceptions were the units serving the emergency commissions, as well as the railway and water police, which in all respects were subordinate to the Cheka, and later the GPU - OGPU. Along with the solution of special tasks, the troops were often involved in combat operations at the front. The success of the industrialization of the country, the growing importance railway transport in the economy and defense of the USSR, in the late 1920s and early 1930s, the formation of such an integral part as the troops for the protection of important industrial facilities and railway structures as part of the OGPU troops.

By the end of the 1930s, there was a need to reorganize the command and control of the NKVD troops, which was due to the constant increase in the volume of tasks performed by them, the diversity and difficulty of control of the troops.

During the years of the Great Patriotic War along with rear guard active army, fighting against enemy landings, saboteurs, nationalist gangs, units and formations of the internal troops took a direct part in the battles with the Nazi invaders. It is estimated that during the years of the war, 53 divisions and 20 brigades of the NKVD troops were part of the active army at different periods and participated in the battles. In addition, the NKVD of the USSR formed and transferred to the front 29 divisions. In January 1947, in order to improve the efficiency of providing state security operational units, and in April 1948, special units of the troops, were transferred from the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs to the jurisdiction of the USSR Ministry of State Security. As part of this department, they were until March 1953, and then were again reassigned to the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs. Important organizational measures for the construction of the troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs-MGB were carried out in 1951. During this period, the troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the protection of especially important industrial enterprises and railways were abolished, and their functions were transferred to the paramilitary guards. The escort troops were also significantly reduced; they were reorganized, together with the internal troops, into escort and internal guards. On March 15, 1953, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of State Security were merged into a single Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR. In this composition, they were until 1954, when the State Security Committee under the Council of Ministers of the USSR was formed. The formations and units of the internal and escort guards remained part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the border troops became subordinate to the KGB.

In January 1960, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR was abolished. Its functions are transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Union republics. The Main Directorate of Internal and Convoy Troops also ceased its activities. From that moment and for the next six years, there was no single body for command and control of internal troops in the country. In each union republic where troop directorates and departments were formed within the ministries of internal affairs, issues of troop development were resolved differently, based on local conditions. The lack of unity in the leadership of the troops had a negative impact on their service and combat activities. Therefore, in 1966, the Union-Republican Ministry for the Protection of Public Order of the USSR (MOOP USSR) was created.

As part of the newly created ministry (since November 25, 1968, it became known as the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR), the Main Directorate of Internal Troops was formed. On March 21, 1989, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR adopted the Decree "On the withdrawal of border, internal and railway troops from the Armed Forces of the USSR." The decree spread among the troops the order, conditions and terms of service, recruitment in the same way as for the Soviet Army and Navy, and preserved the order of their material, technical and financial support.

Internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia at the present stage

Decay Soviet Union put an end to the unified internal troops of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs. In February 1992, the staff of the Main Directorate of the Commander of the Internal Troops (GUKVV) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia was approved. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the peacekeeping operations of the internal troops were limited to the North Caucasus region - North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Chechnya, Dagestan. In areas of emergency personnel internal troops served in the protection of public order, ensured public safety.

March 27 became the Day of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, which was established in 1996 by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation.

In the post-Soviet period, in the second half of the 90s, the reform of troops of such a plan as the BB is being carried out in the Russian Federation. Their task, which they previously constantly performed in terms of carrying out security functions, escorting convicts, etc., was removed from them, but their rights were expanded in terms of protection and maintaining order in the country. Another reform in the Ministry of Internal Affairs took place in 2008, according to which reorganization processes were carried out in the administration of the districts - they became regional.

Troops of the National Guard of the Russian Federation

The formation immediately preceding the National Guard was the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, created in 1992. The troops included all the former formations of the Internal Troops of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs stationed on the territory of the RSFSR.

On April 5, 2016, President Vladimir Putin decided to form the Federal Service of the National Guard Troops of Russia (Rosgvardiya), as well as to transform the internal troops of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs into the troops of the Russian National Guard.

The composition of the National Guard, according to the decree, includes special forces of OMON, SOBR, TsSN SOR and aviation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, private security of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. The creation of the National Guard took place as part of a reform to improve the work of law enforcement agencies in Russia.

General of the Army Viktor Vasilyevich Zolotov was appointed Director of the Federal Service of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation - Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation by Presidential Decree of April 5, 2016. On the same day, April 5, 2016, Vladimir Putin introduced draft laws on the National Guard and changes in a number of legislative acts. The activities of the Federal Service of National Guard Troops are managed by the President of the Russian Federation.

On January 16, 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree establishing March 27 as the Day of the Russian National Guard Troops.

“To establish the Day of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation and celebrate it on March 27,” the decree says. The document notes that the date was set "in order to preserve the continuity of military traditions and increase the prestige of service in the troops of the National Guard of the Russian Federation."

Head of the Dorogobuzh MOVO - branch

FGKU "UVO VNG of Russia in the Smolensk region"

Russian President Vladimir Putin is carrying out a radical reform of law enforcement agencies. On the basis of the internal troops, a fundamentally new powerful power structure has been created - the Federal Service of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation, which will receive broad powers.

What power structure was created in Russia

On April 5, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the transformation of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs into the national guard, reporting directly to the head of state.

In accordance with the document, in addition to, in fact, the troops, the structures of the private security of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Okhrana, units exercising control in the field of private security activities, were transferred from the Ministry of Internal Affairs system to the new federal service special units rapid response (SOBR), OMON, Center special purpose rapid reaction forces and aviation.

It is assumed that the reform will solve several problems at once: it will increase the level of law enforcement, optimize the budget of the law enforcement system and save it from duplication of functions.

The tasks of the new service will include the fight against terrorism, organized crime, the National Guard will also continue to perform the functions that were performed by special units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Among other things, the service will be engaged in the protection of nuclear facilities.

The National Guard will be staffed not only by contract soldiers, but also by conscripts.

Distribution in the media and public speaking information about the locations of the national guard control bodies in the Russian Federation, its military units and subdivisions is prohibited.

What powers will the National Guard have?

According to the draft law sent to the State Duma, employees of the National Guard will be able to use force and weapons without warning in case of an immediate threat citizens or military personnel.

At the direction of the appropriate commander or his deputy water cannons and armored vehicles can be used with the subsequent obligatory notification of the prosecutor within 24 hours from the moment of their application, if it is necessary for the release of hostages, seized buildings, premises, structures, vehicles and land plots, as well as to suppress riots.

Employees of the National Guard of the Russian Federation will be able to:

check the documents of citizens, detain for a period of not more than three hours suspected of encroaching on someone else's property;

carry out vehicle inspections;

enter the living quarters of citizens when performing combat service to ensure the emergency regime, to save the lives of citizens and public safety;

cordon off areas, including in the suppression of riots;

in a state of emergency prohibit the movement of cars and pedestrians, use cars of citizens to travel to an emergency or pursue criminals;

use firearms when escaping persons sentenced to deprivation of liberty committed with weapons or on vehicles, aircraft, sea or river vessels.

Who led the national guard

Army General Viktor Zolotov, an acquaintance of Vladimir Putin from his work in St.

Zolotov Viktor Vasilyevich was born on January 27, 1954 in the city of Sasovo, Ryazan Region. He graduated from the Law Institute, the Academy of the General Staff. Served in border troops KGB of the USSR. In the 1970s-1990s, he was an employee of the 9th Directorate of the KGB of the USSR (currently the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation). On August 19, 1991, he guarded the President of the RSFSR Boris Yeltsin during his famous address to the Russians from a tank in front of the White House.

In the early 1990s, he provided personal protection for the mayor of St. Petersburg, Anatoly Sobchak, and the first deputy chairman of the city government, Vladimir Putin. In 1996, he was fired from the FSO. Worked in private security companies in St. Petersburg.

In 1999, he headed the security service of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. From 2000 to 2013, he served as Deputy Director of the FSO - Head of the Security Service of the President of the Russian Federation. In 2013 he moved to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. From September 2013 to May 2014 - Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. Since May 12, 2014, he was the First Deputy Minister of the Interior of the Russian Federation - Commander-in-Chief of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Who and what will be part of the National Guard

In accordance with the presidential decree, the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (number - about 170 thousand people) were converted into troops of the National Guard of the Russian Federation.

The structure of the National Guard also includes:

governing bodies and subdivisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs exercising federal state control over the circulation of weapons and in the field of private security activities, as well as private security (including Federal State Unitary Enterprise Okhrana of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation);

special rapid response units of the territorial bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (SOBR, 87 units, 5.2 thousand people);

mobile special forces of the territorial bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (OMON, 160 detachments, total 40 thousand people);

Center for Special Purpose of Rapid Response Forces and Aviation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, including:

special purpose mobile detachment "Zubr" - 421 people;

special rapid reaction squad "Lynx" - 200 people;

aviation detachment of special purpose "Hawk" - 100 people;

aviation units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The ranks of the National Guard can also replenish the Cossack formations.

Military equipment in service with internal troops(data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies):

9 main battle tanks;

1650 BMP-1, BMP-2 and BTR-80;

35 artillery installations;

29 aircraft - 9 Il-76, 2 An-12, 12 An-26, 6 An-72;

70 helicopters - 10 Mi-26, 60 Mi-8.

Automotive(data of the Ministry of Internal Affairs):

UAZ-31519 Hunter;

KamAZ-5350;

Ural-4320-0911-60;

Ural-32552-3013-79 Watch;

Ural-4320 "Federal-42590";

armored vehicles SBM VPK-233136 "Tiger".

World experience in creating national guards

National Guard USA Formed in 1903 as an organized reserve of the US armed forces. National Guard units operate in all US states, are subordinate to the federal center and state authorities. The total number is more than 460 thousand people. Service in it is carried out on a voluntary basis, as a rule, with the preservation of the main place of work.

About 60 thousand men and women enter the service annually, they take a course - 192 hours of classes, in addition to this, they participate in exercises with regular units of the Armed Forces. Guardsmen are mobilized both individually and en masse to eliminate emergencies or maintain law and order in the event of riots.

By decision of the President, the National Guard may be used for military support of the ground forces and the US Air Force, including abroad. So, since 2001, more than 300 thousand soldiers of the National Guard have been involved in the war in Afghanistan. In 2005, 43 thousand guardsmen eliminated the consequences of Hurricane Katrina.

National Republican Guard Portugal established in 1911. Number - 26 thousand people. Formed on professional basis. In peacetime, it performs the functions of the gendarmerie, subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

It is engaged in patrolling highways and strategic facilities mainly outside large cities. Guardsmen are also involved in rescue operations, the Coast Guard, and are engaged in the fight against tax and customs crimes. The National Guard can also be transferred to the command of the Army General Staff to perform combat missions.

National Guard Ukraine was created in 1991 on the basis of the internal troops of the Ukrainian SSR, disbanded in 2000 and then recreated in March 2014 as a military formation with law enforcement functions on the basis of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The total number is 42,000 servicemen, about a third of them serve on a contract basis.

More than 75% of the National Guardsmen were involved in hostilities in eastern Ukraine. The National Guard also has several operational volunteer battalions.

National Guard Kazakhstan was established in 2014 as a result of the liquidation of internal troops, subordinate to the republican Ministry of Internal Affairs. The number of divisions is not disclosed. The functions of the Kazakh National Guard basically coincide with the functions of the Russian internal troops. The National Guard also has a military police force.

Evgeny Kozichev, Mikhail Malaev, Dmitry Shelkovnikov

The National Guard, created in 2016, is sometimes referred to as the president's "personal troops". She has broad powers: she participates in the fight against extremism and terrorism, protects the territorial integrity of Russia, regulates the circulation of weapons and, along with the police, keeps order at rallies and protests. We tell you why the National Guard is needed and what it can do.

What is the National Guard and to whom does it report?

The National Guard was created in April 2016 by a special decree of Vladimir Putin. It arose on the basis of the departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The main purpose of the National Guard is to protect public order (along with the police) and ensure public safety. The National Guard also regulates the circulation of weapons, security activities and private security. Its special powers include the organization of mandatory state fingerprint registration and the development of measures in the field of aviation security. In addition, the National Guard takes part in the fight against terrorism and assists the FSB in protecting the state border of Russia, and since March 2018 it can protect governors and heads of republics on a contractual basis (money from this should go to the federal budget).

In the Russian Guard this moment there are 340 thousand people. This is one of the largest power structures. For comparison, this is more than a third of the entire composition of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (894,000 people).

The National Guard reports directly to the president. It is commanded by General Viktor Zolotov, who for a long time led the security service of Vladimir Putin.

They say it was created to fight the opposition, is that true?

Detain and deliver to the police premises

Require public order and stop violations

Check and stop vehicles

The National Guard may fire without warning if the delay will cost the life of a soldier or citizens nearby.

How to behave with the National Guard?

The rules are the same as when dealing with the police:

- Don't resist(especially physical), but communicate politely and confidently

- Ask to introduce yourself, name the position and state the grounds for the application of coercive measures

If the employees of the Russian Guard exceed their authority, they must be reported to their superiors, and their actions should be appealed to the prosecutor's office and in court.

For example, employees of the Russian Guard requested documents from a resident of St. Petersburg, referring to the upcoming World Cup. Then they demanded to put things out of their pockets and checked the applications running on the smartphone. At the same time, the inspection protocol was not drawn up, there were no witnesses, video recording was not conducted, and the phone was checked in this case generally doubtful from the point of view of constitutional rights. Such violations must be complained to the prosecutor's office and the court.

In the Tomsk region, a criminal case was opened against employees of the Russian Guard for exceeding their authority - they beat several citizens on the territory of a rotational camp.

On April 5, 2016, the citizens of Russia were surprised to learn that another federal power structure would soon appear in the country - the National Guard. It was on this day that the corresponding decree of President Putin was signed, and bills regulating the activities of the new structure were sent to the State Duma. The number of the new department can reach 400 thousand people.

This decision turned out to be like a thunderbolt in a cloudless sky, it was so unexpected that it caused bewilderment among experts and the public. Yet more questions cause the possibilities and powers of the new service, which can be safely called unprecedented. According to the presidential decree, the national guard of the Russian Federation will perform a number of functions within the country, and it will be personally subordinate to Putin. The new power structure will be commanded by one of the most loyal people to the president - General of the Army Zolotov.

Ideas about the creation of the Russian National Guard were voiced back in the early 90s of the last century. They returned to the discussion more than once, but the matter did not go further than conversations. And suddenly, without any information campaign, without public discussion, even without rumors and stuffing, a decision is made that will completely reformat the power bloc of the state.

Structures like the Russian National Guard are the product of periods of political instability, unrest and revolutionary hard times. It would have been much more logical for the appearance of the National Guard in the 90s, during a time of chronic lack of money, separatism, social protests and Caucasian wars. Why was it needed today, when Putin's ratings are sky-high, and his political opponents are demoralized and incapable of anything serious?

Opponents of the current Russian regime have already dubbed the structure being created a new oprichnina, drawing parallels with the era of Ivan the Terrible, after which Russia plunged into the Time of Troubles for a long time.

A bit about the history of the National Guard

The word "guard" is of Italian origin, it translates as "guard, guard". Guards were called military units, staffed by the best, selected fighters. As a rule, the guard was not part of the army. IN different time and at different peoples the functions of the guardsmen were different. They were often entrusted with the task of protecting the first person of the state (the praetorian guard in Rome) from conspiracies and assassination attempts. Often the guards performed police functions, participated in the suppression of riots and uprisings.

The term "national guard" arose at the end of the 18th century in revolutionary France, along with the emergence of the first national state. The French guards were ideological supporters of the revolution and were engaged in suppressing speeches and rebellions against the new government, ensuring public order on the streets. Often performed punitive functions. It was the National Guard that participated in the bloody suppression of the Vendée rebellion. It should be noted that the French National Guard was not very reliable, it supported one or the other political force. In the end, the French dispersed these restless troops.

Today, many states have paramilitary forces called the national guard, or structures with other names, but performing approximately the same tasks. Such troops can be divided into two types: "European" and "American". The main task of the European National Guard is to protect the constitutional order and public order. In fact, these are the well-known internal troops.

The main task of the American National Guard is to work with the mobilization reserve in case of a major war and general mobilization. At the same time, the American Guards are involved in the aftermath of natural disasters (Hurricane Katrina), and resist large-scale street riots.

The US National Guard is staffed only by volunteers, they serve in parallel with their main work. For this, the guardsmen have many bonuses and benefits from the government. The US National Guardsmen have taken part in the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, although reviews of their effectiveness and professionalism on the battlefield are very contradictory.

The National Guard of the United States has a dual subordination: the federal government and the state authorities. For the federal center, the guardsmen are a top-priority military reserve, which will be involved in mobilization.

In most of the CIS countries (and earlier in the USSR), internal troops recruited on a conscription basis are engaged in protecting the constitutional order and order on the streets.

Separately, it should be said about the paramilitary structures, which were called the "National Guard", but at the same time performed very specific tasks. As an example, some paramilitary formations of the countries of Latin and South America can be cited.

The Nicaraguan National Guard consisted of professional mercenaries and participated in civil war which has been going on in this country for many years. In fact, she performed the functions of the army and waged a long-term counter-guerrilla war.

The National Guard of El Salvador also took an active part in the turbulent political life of this Latin American country. She participated in many coups and revolutions, fought partisans, and persecuted citizens for political reasons. It was in the National Guard that the famous "death squadrons" were organized, which kidnapped and killed representatives of leftist movements.

There is also a national guard in Venezuela. In addition to dispersing demonstrations, Lately Guardsmen began to be attracted to perform more specific tasks: they are struggling with shortages and rising prices. To do this, troops occupy shops and storm factories.

The main task of the National Guard of Saudi Arabia is to protect the monarch and members of the royal family. In Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan, the main function of the national guards is to protect the institutions and top officials of the country.

The National Guard of Ukraine appeared in 1991, but then this structure was abolished. The second birth of the Ukrainian guard took place in 2014. Today, it includes both former units of internal troops, performing purely security functions, and volunteer battalions taking part in hostilities in the Donbass.

The SS and the IRGC as the progenitors of the National Guard of the Russian Federation

Separately, it is worth mentioning two military formations, one of which still exists today, and the second was recognized as criminal during the Nuremberg Tribunal - these are the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and SS security detachments created back in Nazi Germany.

The IRGC is an elite military unit created immediately after the 1979 revolution. Officially, this structure is part of the Iranian armed forces, but in fact it has its own commander in chief and reports directly to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The corps has its own armed forces, which include ground forces, aviation, naval forces and special operations units capable of operating outside the country.

The IRGC took an active part in the Iraq war, and currently the Corps units are fighting on the side of Bashar al-Assad against the rebels in the Syrian conflict. The IRGC fighters are considered among the most combat-ready in the Iranian army.

In addition to participating in hostilities, the Corps is engaged in ensuring internal security, fighting "subversive elements" inside the country, and ensuring the promotion of the ideas of Islam outside of Iran. Corps fighters maintain public order and guard important government facilities.

The corps is training the Basij militia, a paramilitary structure that performs many functions. The number of this formation is 10 million people.

IRGC leadership great attention devotes to the ideological training of its fighters, as well as the dissemination of its ideas among the population of the country. The Corps owns the media (TV channels, newspapers, radio stations).

The SS guard detachments appeared in Germany in 1933. Initially, they were created to protect members of the Nazi Party and its Fuhrer Adolf Hitler.

In 1940, the SS troops (Waffen-SS) appeared, reporting directly to Heinrich Himmler. SS units were only part of the German army, but in fact it was a paramilitary unit of the Nazi Party.

Also, the SS included units that provided protection for concentration camps and participated in the mass extermination of people.

The SS controlled virtually all operational, investigative and intelligence activities of the Third Reich through the Security Service (SD) and the Reich Security Main Office (RSHA).

In addition, the SS carried the protection of the entire top leadership of Nazi Germany, was engaged in scientific projects and ideology. Gradually, from the security structure of the SS, it turned into the main personnel reserve of Nazi Germany.

Rosgvardia - the national guard of Russia

The Russian National Guard is formed on the basis of the current internal troops, as well as special units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, such as SOBR, OMON, TsSN SOR. The structure of the National Guard will also include the private security of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The main functions of the Russian National Guard:

• protection of public order;
• combating terrorism, extremism and organized crime;
• control of the circulation of weapons in the country;
• protection of state facilities and cargo;
• provision of security services to individuals and legal entities, as well as control of the security services market.

The National Guard of the Russian Federation is classified as a special service. The staffing of this structure is mixed: both by contract and by conscription.

The National Guard has the right to arrest, enter homes and conduct searches.

If we talk about what the Russian National Guard looks like, then more than other options it resembles the police units of Latin America. Without a doubt, the functions of the national guard, prescribed in the presidential decree, exceed the capabilities of the classic internal troops.

There is a certain similarity between the Russian National Guard and the Iranian IRGC and the Nazi SS, but there are also significant differences. The main one: the two above-mentioned foreign structures were (and are), first of all, carriers of a certain ideology.

The SS was not only a paramilitary organization, it actively supplied its cadres to the state apparatus of Nazi Germany and, thanks to this, administered the country in the interests of the Nazi Party.

The Iranian Guard Corps also cannot be called a structure that performs purely security or military functions, it is the bearer of the ideology of the Iranian revolution and has a strong influence on the life of the state.

It is not yet completely clear what exactly the Russian National Guard will look like. It is not clear whether she will receive the right to engage in operational-search activities, but something suggests that she will be granted such a right (albeit not immediately).

We dare to suggest that this will be the president's personal army, with the help of which the head of state hopes to ensure the loyalty of the Russian elites.

Why was the National Guard of Russia created?

Why did the authorities initiate the creation of the National Guard right now? There are several hypotheses.

According to the first of them, Putin is so afraid of the possibility of a color revolution scenario in Russia that he decided to play ahead of the curve and create a structure that can suppress any rebellion. Indeed, the standard of living in the country is falling, this applies to both the capital and the regions. The experience of the protests on Bolotnaya Square in early 2012 showed that there is a potential for protest in Russia. True, a lot has changed since those events, but the hypothetical danger remains.

Today, the authorities have at their disposal several tens of thousands of SOBR and OMON fighters, and this may not be enough even to suppress serious unrest in the capital. In 2012, they had to be urgently brought to Moscow different types transport.

For examination and detention, the guardsmen will not need the sanction of the prosecutor or a court decision. Only then can they inform the prosecutor “at the discretion of their leader”. It is not known whether such a provision will remain in the bill, but not a single Russian federal law enforcement agency has such powers.

However, this hypothesis is skeptical. Despite the economic turmoil, the growth of protest activity in Russia is not observed. Society is split, stunned by propaganda, has no leaders. In such a situation, any unrest can be easily dealt with with the power tools available.

Some of the experts suggest that Putin is creating a personal army (about 400,000 people) to ensure that a palace coup is avoided.

The events of recent years, Western sanctions, and the policy of self-isolation cannot but irritate part of the Russian elite. And any color revolution always begins with a split in the elites, and the Ukrainian Maidan is a clear confirmation of this.

Whether such a paramilitary structure would be effective in this case is a moot point. As historical experience shows, the guards often remain on the sidelines during the rebellion or take part in it. Guards units did not lift a finger to save the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II.

Another interesting theory that explains the need to create a national guard was put forward by journalists " Novaya Gazeta". In their opinion, the national guard is, first of all, a blow to the head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov. Allegedly, in this way the federal center is trying to wrest from the hands of the masterful regional leader his main trump card - paramilitary structures that are nominally part of the Russian Interior Ministry, but are personally subordinate to Kadyrov.

According to Russian journalists, after the Chechen battalions join the National Guard, they will no longer be so loyal to the Chechen leader, but will be controlled by the federal center. Such a theory sounds rather naive: Chechen units are still part of the Russian power structures, but in fact they are subordinate only to Kadyrov. The East, as you know, is a delicate matter. And the Caucasus is no exception.

Formally, the Chechen units may be subordinate to the new commander-in-chief, but in fact everything will remain the same. In addition, Zolotov has an excellent personal relationship with Ramzan Akhmatovich (unlike many other federal security officials), so interaction issues are likely to be resolved on a personal level.

The current transformation, which began with a presidential decree, could seriously upset the established balance between the Russian law enforcement agencies. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will suffer the most, losing part of its structures and significant financial flows.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is deprived of special units (SOBR, OMON), it is deprived of private security, control over the circulation of weapons. This is a serious blow. True, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will now include the FKSN and the FMS - but this is an unequal replacement.

In addition, the absence of rapid response units and riot police can seriously complicate the work of the police, the fighters of these units are often involved in detaining criminals or other operations. If they are subordinate to another department, this will seriously complicate the life of the police.

It is still too early to give an assessment of the new power structure. It will take several years to carry out such a reform.

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