Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed the reinforcement of his elite “praetorian guard” troops to safeguard himself and his Kremlin regime internally. Concerned about potential unrest stemming from the war in Ukraine, Putin is taking measures to secure his safety amid fears of opposition threats.
The “Rosgvardia” regiment, operating independently from the Russian Ministry of Defence, serves as a National Guard dedicated to the protection of the presidency. Recently expanded to include tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery, the Rosgvardia has been bolstered through a Kremlin decree in response to a series of high-profile assassinations targeting senior Moscow officers.
Notable incidents include the assassination of Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, suspected to be orchestrated by Ukrainian spies, and the shooting of a top Russian military official in Moscow. Putin’s concerns extend beyond external threats, with worries of internal plots or uprisings emerging from within Russia.
The expansion of the Rosgvardia was prompted by a thwarted attempt in 2023 by former warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin to march on the Kremlin. The elite unit now serves dual roles as a paramilitary police force and a combat-capable military formation, with a focus on safeguarding the Kremlin leadership.
Observers note that the significant expansion of the Rosgvardia reflects Putin’s deep mistrust in domestic intelligence agencies, as the unit now operates with its own intelligence capabilities. Amidst growing discontent over Russia’s struggling war economy and public skepticism towards the conflict in Ukraine, the Rosgvardia, led by Putin loyalist Viktor Zolotov, plays a crucial role in securing the President and his inner circle.
As the conflict in Ukraine persists, Washington has imposed persistent sanctions on Russia, with Ukrainian forces making gains on the eastern front. The ongoing drone strikes by Ukrainian troops have dealt significant blows to Russia’s energy sector, complicating the situation further.
Initially introduced in 2014 in response to Crimea’s annexation, the sanctions against Russia have been consistently expanded, with the latest US government notification citing Russia’s actions as a threat to national security and foreign policy interests.
