Russia's security agencies have managed to achieve a drastic reduction in the terrorist threat, Russian President Vladimir Putin reported that 32 terrorist attacks were prevented in the first 11 months of this year.
"In recent years, there have been significant successes and a positive trend in this difficult and extremely important area [the fight against terrorism]. We have managed to achieve a radical reduction in the terrorist threat," the head of state said in a video message on the occasion of Security Forces Day published on the Zvezda TV channel's website.
According to Putin, "over the past 11 years, more than 200 terrorist acts have been averted, and the number of terrorist crimes committed during that period has decreased many times over." According to him, "the vast majority of such crimes are suppressed at the stage of preparation." "So, for 11 months of the year, thanks to your coherence and efficiency, 61 such crimes were prevented, including 32 terrorist attacks. This is a good result, but there are still many problems," the president appealed to security officials.
Putin demanded to fight terror harshly and uncompromisingly. "Today, the complex international situation, the nature and scale of today's challenges and risks make increased demands on the work of special services. First of all, in solving your main, priority task - a tough and uncompromising fight against terrorism," the president pointed out. He tasked the security services to eliminate cells of international terrorist groups. "It is important to continue to act offensively and effectively, to eliminate cells of international terrorist groups under the coordinating role of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, to identify and suppress their contacts and subversive work of recruiters and emissaries," said the head of state.
In August, speaking at the second stage of the "United Russia" congress, the president emphasized that Russia has effective capabilities to protect its citizens from the threat of international terrorism. He warned that this threat persists, and that it should be understood and treated with the utmost responsibility. According to the president, Russia was practically the only country to defeat major terrorist formations and eliminate the bandit underground.
However, the president has recently drawn attention to the dangers of terrorist groups in the territory of Afghanistan for neighboring countries. He does not exclude the possibility that terrorists may attempt to destabilize the situation in neighboring countries, including the CIS states, to the point of launching direct expansion. Therefore, in Putin's opinion, it is important to permanently monitor the situation on the Afghan border and be ready to counter militants.
Priority tasks in the fight against terrorism
"Among other priority tasks [of the security agencies] are the continuation of offensive tactics in the work of counterintelligence and anti-corruption, ensuring the reliable protection of state borders," Putin specified.
Putin noted that Russian citizens expect "new successes from the special services also in the fight against extremism." "This is a direct threat to the unity of Russia. It is necessary to strictly suppress any manifestations of xenophobia, social and religious enmity, not to allow the involvement of people, especially young people, in illegal anti-state activities," he said.
According to the Russian leader, "the role of the Foreign Intelligence Service is increasing in the comprehensive security of our country". "First of all this concerns the operational and quality analysis of international information and development of forecasts of the situation in the world as a whole and in particular regions," said the president.
The head of state also noted the competent and precise work of the staff of the Federal Security Service and the Main Directorate of Special Programs. "I have no doubt that you will continue to act as reliably and effectively," he added.
About the Day of Security Forces
December 20 is celebrated annually in Russia as Day of security officers of the Russian Federation - a professional holiday for employees of the Federal Security Service, the Foreign Intelligence Service, the Federal Protection Service and other state security agencies.
It was established on December 20, 1995, by decree of Russian President Boris Yeltsin. The date was chosen because, on this day in 1917, the Council of People's Commissars issued a decree on the formation of structure - the forerunner of today's state security bodies: the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission against counterrevolution and sabotage.
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Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS