Guarding Russia’s president: be tough and creative
Published 04 June, 2008, 10:45
Thirty people including Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev and PM Vladimir Putin along with seven presidential envoys in the country are protected by the Federal Protective Service. Sometimes, even during official visits, the service has to improvise because of their client’s impromptu behaviour.
On his visit to Beijing, President Dmitriy Medvedev digressed from his formal visit schedule, started speaking freely with Chinese students and even kissed a girl.
And in Yelabuga, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin headed to the factory dining hall out of the blue, took a tray, stood in line and then ate with the workers.
The Federal Protective Service’s head, Evgeny Murov, who gave an interview to the Russian Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper, says that the president has the right to choose his own style of communication.
“That's our leaders' style and they're known for it all over the world. Our job is not to bind them to concrete plans and guarantee their safety. And that's what we do. Of course, we have to be prepared for the unexpected,” he said.
It is not easy to keep up with the president’s and the PM’s tough schedule. And the service pays special attention to the physical form of the guards who work with them.
“The Federal Protective Service officers always need to be ready, even when they're under pressure,” Murov explained.
Russia’s Federal Protective Service (FSO) is responsible for the protection of Russian state property and high-ranking government personnel, including the President of Russia through a special unit – the Kremlin Regiment.
The service also controls the “black box” that can be used in the event of global nuclear war, and operates high-level communications systems.
The federal department has special technical and material bases required to solve different tasks.
“We've ordered and had the latest special military technology and weapons developed for us. Today, we can say that the Federal Protective Service is highly equipped,” Murov said.
The threats are often made, Murov said. “And this isn't just characteristic of Russia. It's a widespread phenomenon worldwide,” he noted.
Any signal of that kind demands careful investigation. After all the details are clarified, the service takes serious measures to control the situation.
Among other achievements there is the effective relationship that has been created among Russia's power structures, Murov explained.
Working together with the Federal Security Service and the Presidential Secret Service helps the Federal Protective Service to solve the most complicated problems they face.
The Federal Protective Service also provides security for high-profile foreign guests.
“In addition to special training, many officers speak the most widespread foreign languages like English, German, French, Spanish and Chinese. This doesn't only mean our employees who work on our leaders' visits abroad, but also those who work on our confidential intergovernmental connections. Today, permanent channels function between world leaders,” Murov said.
discuss it
