Russia steps up security for propagandists after attacks on military officials

After a string of assaults on Russian military leaders, such as Aerospace Forces Commander-in-Chief Alexander Chaiko in Moscow, many Russian propagandists have been granted enhanced security measures, according to reports from Agentstvo. The development was detailed by four confidential sources on September 3. A worker at a Russian federal television network stated that Rosgvardiya chief Viktor Zolotov recently advised the network to bolster security.

Consequently, Rosgvardiya officers began accompanying nearly all television channel executives, who expressed dissatisfaction with the constant surveillance. Security has also been heightened for television hosts, with one recently commemorating a birthday in Moscow and arriving at the event accompanied by a convoy of security personnel.

Another Agentstvo source revealed that senior figures at propaganda television channels had occasionally been shielded by Rosgvardiya units in the past, but the level of protection has now been significantly escalated. Additionally, Ilya Medvedev, son of Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, has been placed under increased protection.

The younger Medvedev is accompanied by numerous Federal Protective Service (FSO) officers who conduct thorough searches at every location he intends to visit. Agentstvo quoted an acquaintance of Ilya Medvedev, close to the leadership of the ruling United Russia party, who confirmed that such protection had been implemented earlier but cited an instance when Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's grandchildren traveled to Moscow and were greeted by at least 10 FSO officers.

The Moscow Times reported on August 31 that Russian President Vladimir Putin had signed a decree expanding the Federal Protective Service's central staff, from 785 to 812 employees, since the inception of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.