VLADIMIR Putin is looking to protect his regime from “emerging threats” within his own forces, analysts have warned.
Two major security institutions are being subordinated under Chief of the General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov, a loyalist of the President – leading to questions about what is going on inside the Kremlin.
Russian police and National Guard (Rosgvardia) servicemen patrol Red Square in central MoscowCredit: AFP
Putin attends a meeting with Moscow Mayor Sergei SobyaninCredit: AFP
WhatsApp and Telegram icons displayed on a phone next to a screen showing the coat of arms of Roskomnadzor, Russia’s communications regulatorCredit: Reuters
Putin signed a decree that effectively gave the Russian army control of the country’s national guard, Rosgvardia.
Then, there is also speculation that the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MChS) may be abolished, and some employees merged with Rosgvardia.
The Institute for the Study of War think-tank explained that this would place both institutions under the control of Gerasimov.
The move is likely designed to protect Putin, particularly as the Rosgvardia “failed to engage Wagner forces during the Wagner mutiny in June 2023”.
Led by Yevgeny Prigozhin – who was later killed in a jet crash which many believe the Kremlin was behind – mercenaries moved rapidly from Russia’s south towards Moscow in a “march for justice”.
A report by the ISW said: “Putin created Rosgvardia in 2016 by subordinating some security forces from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) under his direct control.
“He likely deliberately vaguely defined Rosgvardia’s responsibilities to grant him direct authority to control protests and to coup-proof his regime.
“Putin may have perceived Rosgvardia as an emerging threat to his regime, particularly after Rosgvardia’s insufficient response to the 2023 mutiny and after Rosgvardia’s leadership attempted to exploit the mutiny and Russia’s military failures in Ukraine to expand its authority.
“The subordination of Rosgvardia to the General Staff is also likely a continuation of Putin’s efforts to centralize irregular forces fighting in Ukraine under the command of the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD), similar to how the Russian MoD’s Africa Corps replaced the Wagner Group following the Wagner mutiny.”
Given Putin’s ever-present paranoia, this internal restructuring to keep him in power is not a shock.
It comes as Russia has attempted to fully block WhatsApp – the latest move in to tighten control over the internet.
A WhatsApp spokesperson said late on Wednesday that the Russian authorities’ action was intended to “drive users to a state-owned surveillance app”.
“Trying to isolate over 100 million people from private and secure communication is a backward step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia,” they added.
“We continue to do everything we can to keep people connected.”
To replace WhatsApp, Russia has been pushing its own state-supported MAX “super” app, which critics warn is a surveillance tool.
The Kremlin has already blocked major social media such as Facebook and Instagram and ramped up other online restrictions since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said WhatsApp owner Meta Platforms should comply with Russian law to see it unblocked, according to the state Tass news agency.
Earlier this week, Russian communications watchdog Roskomnadzor said it will introduce new restrictions on Telegram after accusing it of refusing to abide by the law.
The move triggered widespread criticism from military bloggers, who warned that Telegram was widely used by Russian troops fighting in Ukraine and its throttling would derail military communications.
But it was not immediately clear if the plan is to ban the app outright.
Russian officials – including the Kremlin – still use it to issue statements and it is the most popular outlet for pro-government military bloggers commenting on the Ukraine war.
Some have warned that blocking it would hobble communications around the frontline and in Russian-occupied territory.
Russian National Guard Service officers in camouflage uniform walk past the Spassky Tower in the Red SquareCredit: Getty
A man walks at a ruined city market following a Russia’s attack in Odesa, UkraineCredit: AP
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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