Elections in Russia: In ISW, they analyzed why Putin in speeches appeals to the FSB

Experts noted that after his "record" victory in the presidential election in Russia, Putin presented the FSB as a key guarantor of the Security and Sovereignty of the Russian Federation. According to them, this probably shows that Russian special services and security forces (Russian security forces with political influence) will continue to present his main support during the fifth presidential term.

Analysts specify that at a meeting of the FSB Board on March 19, the head of the Russian Federation addressed the first speech after winning the "elections", where he praised the staff of the service for "ensuring the security and sovereignty of Russia".

"Putin thanked the FSB officers for successful operations in Ukraine, for the termination of attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of the Russian Federation and for repeling the attacks of" terrorists "against Russia (it is about the raids of Russian volunteers in Kursk and Belgorod regions)," - said in ISW.

Experts believe that Putin's appeal to FSB functions probably intended to resemble his internal electorate, that his regime has the support of a branched security apparatus, which the Kremlin tries to expand from the beginning of a full -scale war, especially after the unsuccessful rebellion .

ISW notes that one of Putin's biggest challenges of the stability of Putin's reign came from a security officer, the late Wagner financier Yevgeny Prigogine, and the Russian president is likely to demonstrate that security officers are "firmly united" the first presidential term and his military efforts in Ukraine.

"Putin, who himself is a former KGB officer, perhaps emphasizes that the FSB is an organization that enjoys his affection, although the dictator traditionally attracts Russian intelligence services and security officers to each other so that they compete for his support and do not give any separate structure Many power, " - say analysts in the report.