Russia is reportedly tightening security around state TV propagandists, assigning National Guard protection to executives and hosts

Russian authorities have increased security measures around state television executives and hosts following attacks by Ukrainian forces on Russian military personnel and propagandists, according to sources speaking with Russia's independent investigative outlet, Agentstvo. Viktor Zolotov, head of the Russian National Guard, instructed the management of a national television network to arrange security, an employee at the network revealed.

The National Guard is now providing protection for "practically all the TV bosses," though not everyone is pleased with this arrangement. Along with protection comes constant surveillance; TV hosts have received the same security recommendation, with one even arriving at his birthday celebration in Moscow accompanied by a security car, an anonymous party guest reported.

It is known that National Guard security personnel have been assigned to escort television executives before, but their presence has since been increased, a third source confirmed to Agentstvo. Security for propagandists began tightening as early as the first months of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, though initially only the most prominent television employees were assigned guards.

In late August, Vladimir Putin boosted the FSO's staff at the central office to 812 people, marking the fourth increase since the war began.