The KGB and the 2018 World Cup

Putin turns to Russia’s secret police in order to ensure a hitch-free World Cup


Reports have now confirmed that the Russian leader is entrusting security at next summer's World Cup to Russia's secret police.

Now known as the FSB, they have enforced law and order in Russia, wielding Kalashnikovs and wearing balaclavas to carry out high-profile arrests. 

The organisation’s involvement in World Cup security underlines President Vladimir Putin’s determination to use the global tournament to project a positive image of the country.

It has already been explained to would-be perpetrators that they face jail terms of between eight and 15 years and there is also a zero-tolerance approach to ticket touting.

Russian fan leader Alexander Shprygin said this week that he believed the FSB had already started hunting football hooligans rather than enemies of the state and the organisation’s involvement next summer makes it very unlikely that Russians will provoke fights.

The FSB’s involvement explains why Moscow deputy police chief Andrey Zakharob was so unperturbed a few months ago when questioned by British journalists in Moscow about the threat of fans congregating in large numbers and causing trouble.

‘It’s OK to drink as long as you don’t disturb public order,’ Zakharob said. ‘If there are any violations of public order, then the police will have to respond.’