Russia Increases Security for State TV Executives and Hosts

Russian authorities have tightened security for state television executives and hosts, assigning members of the National Guard (Rosgvardia) to protect them. According to reports from the investigative outlet Agentstvo, this move follows a series of attacks on Russian military personnel and public figures. Viktor Zolotov, the head of the National Guard, reportedly recommended that national television networks increase security measures, leading to the assignment of guards to most major TV bosses and some prominent hosts. One source noted that a well known presenter recently attended a birthday celebration in Moscow accompanied by a security vehicle. While some sources indicate that television executives had previously received security from the National Guard, they confirm that current measures have become more stringent. Some individuals receiving this protection reportedly view the constant presence of guards as a form of additional surveillance by security forces. Beyond media figures, reports indicate that Ilya Medvedev, the son of Dmitry Medvedev, is being escorted by a large number of Federal Protective Service (FSO) officers. Additionally, the grandchildren of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev were reportedly met at a Moscow airport by at least ten FSO employees. Meduza further noted that security for propagandists began tightening early in the full scale war against Ukraine, and that Vladimir Putin increased the FSO central office staff to 812 people in late August.