FSB major general about the security agency: ‘Why merge the SVR and the FSB? They were separated not for that’

The solution of such colossal task requires huge money!

The morning began not with the election results but with Kommersant's news about the reform of the security forces. Of course, it is possible to dismiss this information, which is present already since the establishment of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the FSO (the Federal Protective Service of Russia) and the SVR (the Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia)… It is easy just to say — nonsense.

But it would be right if we try to clear everything up. First, such large-scale changes are being prepared with the active participation of the Ministry of Finance, which very often (!) is the generator of spending reductions. There is no leak from here. All links are from the security forces. It is hard to believe because the President has no real leaks. And all the mergers and 'dismergers' are unexpected and, most importantly, accurate in implementation. However, anything might happen…

But let's figure everything out. Why merge the SVR and the FSB? They were separated not for that to happen. It is better to have two sources of information (independent) than one. Besides, this division had an important sanitary norm — the provision of their internal security. The disclosure of insiders… among other things. Doubtful!

Second, why transfer the Emercom to the Ministry of Defence? Yes, there were civil defense forces. But they were orphans with living parents. In the Defence Ministry they were aliens. Shoygu received from the civil defence forces four helicopters that didn't fly. Emercom is a civil, in fact, agency that solves problems both in Russia and abroad. But how the Defence Ministry will liquidate the consequences of the tragedy abroad?! It's the troops!

'The civil defense forces were orphans with living parents. In the Defence Ministry they were aliens.' Photo: baltinfo.ru

Theoretically we can assume the transfer of the FSO to the Federal Security Service. There's a lot in common. The FSB is also involved in the protection of senior officials. The FSO are not so numerous as it seems at first glance. An absorption of smaller by a bigger one is possible. Moreover, the Ninth Directorate of the KGB quite effectively existed within the intelligence services.

One last thing. I started with the Ministry of Finance. The solution of such colossal task requires much money! Compensation payments from many departments. And do they have them?.. Although today everything is possible!

Over time, the KGB turned into the strongest intelligence agency in the world

For understanding of the topic it is necessary to note that everything that is connected with the system of state security has always been subjected to reforms and renovations in connection with the changing of the political and operational environment. Perhaps, the most radical was the creation of the Committee of State Security attached to the Council of Ministers of the USSR. The security agencies were isolated from the MGB and became an independent structure.

Over time, the KGB turned into the strongest intelligence agency in the world. It consisted of several key areas — intelligence, counter-intelligence, military counterintelligence, political counterintelligence, economic counterintelligence… And also it included a number of service and technical units. After the events of 1991, the KGB was split into several independent departments. The Foreign Intelligence Service, the Ministry of Security, the Federal Protective Service, the Border Service, the Federal Agency of Government Communications and Information (the FAPSI). Another reform returned the Border Service to the FSB. The FAPSI was abolished and its functions were transferred partly to the FSB, the SVR and the FSO.

'Over time, the KGB turned into the strongest intelligence agency in the world. It consisted of several key areas — intelligence, counter-intelligence, military counterintelligence, political counterintelligence, economic counterintelligence...' Photo: eurasian-defence.ru

In recent years, according to the experts, the fragmentation of law enforcement and intelligence agencies in Russia, in addition to internal conflicts, have led to duplication of functions and required significant financial spendings. And also — the inflow of new specialists. However, not always it is possible to fill the structure exclusively with professional personnel.

In April of this year, by the decree of the President it was abolished the Federal Migration Service and the Federal service for control over drug trafficking. Their functions have been transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The President is consistently conducting the optimization of such structures. The question is not only financial problems but the system of their managing. The creation of the power vertical. Leaks of this kind can be treated with suspicion. But much of the written things in Kommersant makes us wonder, though leaks from the office of the President today are rare.