Short-Term Capacity Constraints on Russian Guard Protection of Educational Institutions
In the near term, personnel shortages within the Russian Guard are impeding its ability to organize security for educational institutions in areas surrounding the Northern Military District as well as in newly incorporated regions. This assessment was reported by RIA News and reflects the current staffing realities facing the agency as it plans coverage for a broad network of facilities.
The information comes in response to a request from State Duma deputy Nina Ostanina. The overall message conveyed in the reply is clear: the present conditions, characterized by a lack of sufficient personnel and financial resources, do not permit the execution of the proposed initiative in the short term.
The document underscored that even with future funding, recruiting personnel for the new posts would require a substantial amount of time. This timing gap means that the goal of expanding protective coverage cannot be achieved immediately, despite the apparent need in the affected areas.
According to the Russian Guard, protecting roughly 20,000 objects listed in the application would necessitate around 120,000 staff members and an annual budget of about 80 billion rubles. This scale of operation highlights the magnitude of the task and the hefty financial commitment that would be required to reach full coverage.
On January 7, the Grom special forces detachment, previously reported to be part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, was noted as being integrated with or transferred to the Russian Guard, further shaping the force structure and capabilities available for such protective duties. This movement of units indicates ongoing organizational adjustments aimed at reinforcing security operations across the country.
Earlier in December, President Vladimir Putin signed a law concerning volunteer formations within the Russian Guard. The legislation formalizes the role of volunteers, expanding the ranger-like contributions they can make to guard duties and security operations. This legal development marks a shift toward broader mobilization potential while also raising questions about recruitment, training pipelines, and the practical deployment of volunteer personnel in sensitive protective roles.
In related developments, there have been past references to accountability for those who discredit or undermine the work of volunteers associated with the Russian Guard. These measures reflect a broader effort to maintain integrity within volunteer and auxiliary forces, ensuring that public confidence in protective services remains intact amid structural changes and ongoing security challenges.
Taken together, these items illustrate a period of transition and planning within Russia’s security establishment. The Guard is navigating staffing gaps, the demands of protecting critical facilities, and the legal framework that governs volunteer involvement. Observers will be watching how the agency balances immediate security needs with the longer-term requirements for recruitment, training, and funding to achieve substantial protection across educational environments and other sensitive sites. [Source: RIA News]