Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the creation of a new National Guard, which he said would fight terrorism and organised crime

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the creation of a new National Guard, which he said would fight terrorism and organised crime

The force will be formed of interior ministry troops and led by Mr Putin’s former bodyguard, Viktor Zolotov, who will report directly to the president

Mr Putin’s spokesman said the force could be used to maintain public order

But Dmitry Peskov denied its creation was linked to elections in September. Some critics say Mr Putin fears unrest

Mr Putin made the announcement during a meeting with key security officials at the Kremlin. "The decisions have been taken, we are creating a new federal body of executive power," he said

He also announced that Russia’s drug control agency and federal migration service would become part of the interior ministry’s remit

The creation of a National Guard has been talked about for years. Mr Peskov said he "could not explain" the timing but denied it had anything to do with upcoming elections or any mistrust of other law-enforcement agencies

But there are suggestions that President Putin is concerned about possible unrest in the run-up to parliamentary elections in September

Liberal Yabloko party leader Emilia Slabunova said it was an "attempt by the authorities to protect themselves from protests" while independent military analyst Alexander Golts said Russian authorities were concerned by "colour revolutions" in neighbouring countries such as Ukraine and Georgia

Pro-Kremlin officials have welcomed the change, but opposition figures and commentators fear a further strengthening of security structures

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said the new force would "enhance units’ operational capability". The head of the State Duma’s defence and anti-corruption committee, Irina Yarovaya, said it was "an absolutely timely, adequate and systemic answer to modern challenges and threats"

But Communist MP Vladimir Rodin said the reshuffle was "a dangerous path" and influential cultural figure Marat Gelman called it a "step towards a police state"

The National Guard looks set to become a powerful force. Its proposed powers include the right to shoot or use force without warning and enter private premises while on duty when there is a threat to the lives of civilians or National Guard personnel

Some unconfirmed reports suggest it could number up to 400,000 people and have tanks, heavy artillery and attack helicopters. What is not clear is how the new force will work with the interior ministry and other security agencies