FSB Under Putin Shifts to Predominantly Ethnic Russian Leadership
High-ranking officials in Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) are predominantly ethnic Russians, a shift from the multiethnic history of the agency. This change, under President Putin, has raised concerns about the future of the service and the country.
Stalin's secret services were known for their ethnic diversity, including Jewish, Armenian, Georgian, and Latvian members. This mix was credited with their high capability. However, under Putin, the FSB is moving away from this model.
An FSB general, Rashid Nurgaliev, was reportedly pressured to convert to Orthodox Christianity for his appointment as Interior Minister. Similarly, an FSB colonel was forced to change his Tatar name to a Russian one due to xenophobic attitudes. Ethnic Ukrainians in the FSB's 5th Service, which failed to provide accurate intelligence about the Russia-Ukraine war, have been replaced by ethnic Russians. The FSB's corporate culture now reflects Putin's fears and prejudices, assuming a man's behavior is predetermined by his ethnicity and religion.
This policy may have serious consequences. The ethnic Russian population in Russia is declining, with only about 72% according to the 2021 census. The FSB's aggressive and openly xenophobic approach towards non-Russians under Putin could potentially harm the agency's effectiveness and the country's stability.
The FSB's shift towards a predominantly ethnic Russian leadership is a significant change from its multiethnic history. While the implications of this change are not yet clear, some experts warn that it could lead to serious consequences for the regime in the future.
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