Putin expands FSO headquarters staff as officer assassinations mount
Vladimir Putin signed a decree increasing the Federal Protective Service's central office personnel from 785 to 812 amid a wave of high-profile killings of Russian officials.
President Vladimir Putin authorized a rise in the Federal Protective Service's central headquarters workforce, boosting numbers from 785 to 812, the first such increase in over a decade. This is the fourth staffing expansion since the war in Ukraine started, reflecting heightened security concerns. A series of high-profile assassinations—including helicopter regiment officer Sergei Sechkov, a top general killed in Moscow, a naval officer in Crimea, and missile directorate general Damir Davydov—have been publicly blamed on Ukraine.
Former speechwriter Abbas Gallyamov described the killings as part of a Ukrainian targeting program against Russian officers accused of war crimes. Concurrently, reports suggest Putin is spending extended periods in underground bunkers and has curtailed his public outings, with his close staff barred from using public transport or electronic devices near him. Political analyst Andrei Kolesnikov said the president now relies almost exclusively on security services, which now dominate many aspects of daily life.
Why it matters
The staffing boost signals escalating security fears within Russia's leadership amid a spate of officer assassinations.
How this story developed
- Aug 14 Russia claims strikes on Ukrainian rail hub and vessels as drones hit Russian ports
- Aug 25 Burnham announced plans to travel to the United States in September to lobby President Trump on Ukraine’s Patriot missile needs.
- Aug 25 CIA chief John Ratcliffe arrived in Moscow for an unannounced meeting, a rare high-level contact between the United States and Russia.
- Aug 25 Washington warned allies to sever business ties with Iran under threat of secondary sanctions.
- Aug 26 John Ratcliffe was identified as being on the C‑17 that landed in Moscow.
- Aug 26 Kremlin spokesman said Putin had been informed of Ratcliffe's discussions with Russian security services.
- Aug 26 The UK announced the transfer of Storm Shadow missile design data to Ukraine.
- Aug 27 Ukrainian forces launched close to 800 drones toward Moscow in a coordinated operation.
- Aug 30 Russia announced preparation for large‑scale assaults on Ukraine’s energy facilities.
- Aug 30 Merz told ARD that the investigation into the August 4 incident at Leipzig/Halle airport is nearing completion and that a consensus exists within the German government on how to act. He indicated that the forthcoming measures will be coordinated with the European Union and NATO, ensuring allies are not surprised. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the event as a possible hybrid attack, hinting at foreign involvement, while reports suggest Russia may be blamed.
- Aug 30 Death toll rises to 38 in the Myla ammunition depot strike.
- Sep 1 Sixth consecutive day of Russian missile and drone attacks kills at least 12 in the Kyiv region.
- Sep 1 Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said the Moscow visit achieved its declared purpose of reducing regional tensions.
- Sep 1 Germany formally attributes the Leipzig airport drone incident to Russia.
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