Determined Putin’s new ‘heavy weaponry’ regulation after Wagner coup ‘safety risk’

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a measure into regulation, granting the Russian National Guard, Rosgvardia, the authority to amass heavy weaponry.

Rosgvardia, a sprawling organisation consisting of as much as 200,000 frontline personnel, was initially established in its fashionable kind in 2016.

Led by Viktor Zolotov, a trusted confidant of President Putin and his former bodyguard, Rosgvardia’s main objective is to make sure inner safety and counteract threats to the regime.

The pressure was envisaged as a response to potential home turmoil, offering a succesful unit to deal with uprisings, protests, and inner unrest.

The resolution to arm Rosgvardia with heavy weaponry comes within the aftermath of the Wagner mutiny that unfolded in June 2023. The Wagner Group, a non-public army firm, skilled an tried rebellion that uncovered vulnerabilities throughout the nation’s safety equipment.

But based on the UK Ministry of Defence, “Despite Zolotov’s claim that his force performed ‘excellently’ during the mutiny, there is no evidence that Rosgvardia carried out any effective action against Wagner: exactly the sort of internal security threat it was designed to repress.

“With Zolotov beforehand suggesting that heavy tools ought to embody artillery and assault helicopters, the transfer means that the Kremlin is doubling down on resourcing Rosgvardia as one of many key organisations to make sure regime safety.”

Critics argue that the elevated militarization of Rosgvardia might result in additional erosion of civil liberties and human rights inside Russia.

Moreover, the choice to arm a home safety pressure with heavy weaponry might exacerbate tensions with neighbouring nations and heighten geopolitical uncertainties.

By bolstering Rosgvardia’s capabilities, the Russian authorities goals to display its resolve to take care of management and suppress any potential challenges to its authority.