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Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to expand the headquarters of the Federal Protective Service (FSO) for the fourth time since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to a draft presidential decree reported by independent Russian outlet Verstka, UATV English reports.
The document, published on Russia’s official legal acts portal, proposes increasing the maximum staffing level of the FSO’s central office from 785 to 812 military and civilian personnel. The changes are scheduled to take effect on July 1.
The FSO is responsible for protecting Russia’s top leadership, including President Vladimir Putin and members of his family.
According to Verstka, Putin has repeatedly expanded the agency’s headquarters during the war. Staffing levels increased from 725 to 760 in December 2022, to 775 in January 2024, and to 785 at the beginning of 2025.
Before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the size of the FSO’s central office had remained unchanged for nearly 13 years.
The latest increase comes as the Kremlin continues to tighten security measures around Russia’s leadership amid the ongoing war.
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