Rosgvardia, a critical force for Moscow, faces its losses in Ukraine

Kremlin's favourite crisis management services compete for leadership of institutional security 

In the middle of a security legislation overhaul, Moscow is increasing the powers of entities responsible for protecting state bodies, with the GUSP, the special presidential programmes department, gaining ground on another Kremlin favourite, the Rosgvardia.

Ukrainian and Russian intelligence services keep close watch over Kerch Strait Bridge 

The Russian bridge over the 35 km-long strait, which has both symbolic and strategic importance, has been kept under increased surveillance by both the Ukrainian and Russian intelligence services in recent months.

• EGYPT - Military intel targeted by the local IS

• KAZAKHSTAN - National Guard ups border surveillance

• UKRAINE - New Marines' Odessa training

Moscow stirs up personal data hornet's nest 

Personal data, biometric data, civil registration: Russia's lawmakers have been tweaking the law to give its security services greater control of these hot-button files.

Small legislative revolutions in store for Russia's private security sector 

With mistrust growing across the board, Moscow is looking for ways to better control the tchopi, or private security firms, operating on Russian territory while at the same time tap into their more in-the-field presence to support the state security services.

FSB still at forefront of intelligence gathering in Ukraine 

Rumours abound about the leadership of the Russian security services deployed in Ukraine to back the military offensive and feed Moscow with intelligence from the field.

Operation new recruits: Russian intelligence targets conscripts and students 

The increased human resource needs of the intelligence services has lead them to expand their pool of candidates to include those from the army and universities. These drives are being supported by the adoption of new legislative measures by the Duma.

Moscow's shadow advisers, intelligence officers and lobbyists lay low 

As the hunt for those responsible for Russia's setbacks in Ukraine continues, lobbyists, private consultants and advisers close to the Kremlin, as well as former and current civil servants, are fearing a wave of purges.