MAGAZINE
SPRING 2019
THE RUSSIAN
NATIONAL GUARD
By Maj . Carlos Pereira ( ESP ), LANDCOM G2 .
The Russian National Guard is an internal military force of the Russian federal government , created in 2016 . From the beginning , the establishment of the Russian National Guard became a controversial topic among the analysts due to its size , capabilities , reliability , responsibilities and possible missions .
Origin and Establishment
Its full name is the Federal National Guard Troops Service of the Russian Federation , although the acronym Rosgvardiya (“ Russian Guard ”) is commonly used .
The origin of the establishment of the National Guard appears to be an effort to enhance efficiency and avoid duplication of responsibilities within the internal Russian security system . This organization is basically the successor of the former :
• Internal Troops of Russia ( MVD );
• The Special Purpose Police Unit ( designated as OMON ), used as riot police or a gendarmerie paramilitary force ;
• The Special Rapid Response Unit ( called SOBR ), with the primary function of combating organized crime and antiterrorism operations ; and
• Emergency Situations personnel .
These troops were previously under the control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or Emergency .
The formation of the Russian National Guard takes place in three stages . The first phase transformed the Interior Troops , the OMON units and SOBR units into National Guard units . The second step involves the expansion of the troops ’ organizational and staff structure , harmonizing regulations . Finally , the third phase envisions the completion of all the organizational activities and the execution of its mission . The process is currently under development , and to assess the level of achievement already reached is difficult .
Missions and Responsibilities
The main tasks of the National Guard of the Russian Federation are :
• participation in the protection of public order , public security ;
• protection of important public facilities , special loads and structures on communications ;
• involved in the fight against terrorism and extremism ;
• participation in the regimes of a State of emergency , martial law , the legal regime of counter-terrorist operations ;
• territorial defense of the Russian Federation , to assist border authorities of the Federal Security Service and participate in repelling the aggression ; and
• interventions of civil defense administration and military units subordinate to the County territorial bodies , offices and agencies .
From the beginning , questions arose about whether it would or could potentially be used for foreign operations . This is not specifically detailed in its main tasks , but its commander suggested that it could at least be sent abroad for peacekeeping and stability operations . So far , its participation in external
The Russian National Guard was created in 2016 . From the beginning , the establishment of the Russian National Guard became a controversial topic among the analysts due to its size , capabilities , reliability , responsibilities and possible missions .
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