The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has publicly rejected reports that it ordered the creation of voluntary, shock-style attack battalions within its ranks. This denial was issued through the ministry’s telegraph channel, Media Department of the Ministry of the Interior, and echoed by official spokespeople who emphasized that no such departmental directive exists, nor was any order ever issued to form such units.
According to the ministry’s press service, circulating claims about a signed order are false. The agency pointed to a photo circulating online that purportedly shows an order signed by Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev. The ministry notes that this image is not authentic and that the department has not issued any document of this kind.
Independent outlets provided background on where the misinformation appeared. Kommersant reported that the questionable image of the order showed up on the social network Odnoklassniki, and that the document was allegedly issued in accordance with a Commander-in-Chief’s Order No. 15 dated March 2 of the current year. The newspaper underlined that no publicly accessible copy of such an order exists, raising questions about its veracity.
Earlier reporting indicated that, in December, discussions or rumors suggested the ministry might be seeking to organize self-defense units in certain border regions, specifically Kursk and Belgorod, to respond to potential attacks. However, authorities have stressed that these accounts do not reflect official policy or any formal directive from the interior ministry. The ministry’s confirmation of its stance aims to quell speculation and prevent misinformation from influencing public perception in Russia and abroad. The official statements request that the public rely on verified sources and caution against unverified social media posts that purport to reveal internal plans or orders. (Source attribution: Media Department of the Ministry of the Interior)