Putin Places National Guard Under Military Command Following Wagner Revolt.

Command Structure Overhaul for Russia's National Guard

According to UATV: In a significant restructuring, President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree placing Russia's two main security agencies under the direct command of Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov. This move makes the General Staff the primary command body for the Rosgvardiya, or National Guard. This reorganization follows intense criticism of the National Guard's performance, which failed to adequately counter the forces of the private military company Wagner during its brief rebellion in June 2023. The National Guard is a powerful internal security force, separate from the regular army, originally created to ensure regime stability.

Implications of the Reorganization

Under the new directive, the General Staff will now be responsible for organizing the command and control of National Guard troops. Analysts suggest this indicates the Kremlin's attempt to improve the effectiveness of its security apparatus in the face of both internal and external challenges. Given the heightened tensions and the need for greater coordination between military units, subordinating the National Guard to the military command could lead to more cohesive operations among these powerful agencies.

This shake-up points to an effort by the Russian leadership to tighten control over security forces in response to internal instability and external threats. In light of the National Guard's previous failures, these changes may be an attempt to prevent a repeat of such scenarios, especially as military activities intensify and the need for rapid response grows. Simultaneously, it signals a further centralization of power within the military command structure, a shift that could have significant consequences for the country's political and social landscape.