MVD

The **Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (MVD)** is one of the central agencies responsible for **law enforcement, internal security, public order**, and **state control of various police forces** within the Russian Federation. Established in its current form following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in **1991**, the MVD’s roots trace back to its predecessors in the Russian Empire and Soviet Union, where it operated under various names, most notably as the **NKVD (People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs)** during the Soviet era. Historically, the MVD has played a critical role in maintaining public order and state security, both in terms of **domestic law enforcement** and **national defense**, often influencing the broader political landscape of Russia.

In its present configuration, the MVD is a **federal executive body**, operating under the authority of the **President of Russia** and the **Prime Minister**. The ministry's primary functions include Supervision of the **Police of Russia**, managing **criminal investigations**, enforcing **counterterrorism** operations, regulating **drug enforcement**, and handling **riot control** and **public protests**. One of the most significant branches under the MVD’s authority is the **Russian Police** (formerly the **Militsiya**), which was restructured and renamed as part of **police reforms** in **2011**. The reformation aimed at modernising the Russian police force to enhance its capacity to fight organized crime, corruption, and terrorism while improving its relationship with the public.

Additionally, the MVD also has control over the **National Guard of Russia (Rosgvardia)**, an institution responsible for a wide range of security functions, including **counterterrorism**, **anti-riot operations**, **border security**, and, **in certain cases,** **military operations**. Rosgvardia’s formation in **2016** represented a significant shift in the Russian security landscape, consolidating many domestic security functions that had previously been split across various agencies. The National Guard also oversees the **Special Rapid Deployment Units (SOBR)** and **OMON (Special Purpose Mobile Unit)**, which are highly specialized law enforcement groups tasked with responding to **high-risk situations** such as hostage rescues, **counterinsurgency** operations, and large-scale protests.

The MVD also controls the **Main Directorate for Migration Affairs**, which manages **immigration**, **residency permits**, **border control**, and **the documentation of foreign nationals** in Russia. This division plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of Russia’s borders and ensuring compliance with its immigration policies. The ministry’s mandate also extends to the **State Fire Service**, which provides public safety through the regulation and oversight of fire safety practices across the country.

Throughout its history, the MVD has been a critical institution for maintaining both state power and public security. During the Soviet era, the **NKVD**, the precursor to the MVD, was heavily involved in **political repression**, **counterintelligence**, and **surveillance** of the population. The agency played a central role in the **Stalinist purges**, overseeing the arrest and imprisonment of perceived political enemies, and was notorious for its involvement in **mass repression**, **extrajudicial executions**, and **gulags**. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, many of the **security functions** of the NKVD were restructured and redistributed among new bodies like the **Federal Security Service (FSB)** and the **Ministry of Defense**, although the MVD retained a significant role in domestic law enforcement.

In more recent years, the MVD has faced **criticism** for **human rights abuses**, including its heavy-handed responses to political protests, its involvement in **political repression**, and its connection to **corruption scandals**. Critics have pointed to its use in suppressing **dissent**, including the **2011-2012 protests** against **Vladimir Putin**’s administration, where the police and **Rosgvardia** were accused of using **excessive force** against peaceful demonstrators. Additionally, the MVD has been linked to accusations of **state-sponsored violence**, including the mistreatment of **prisoners**, the surveillance of political **opposition figures**, and efforts to silence **media outlets** critical of the government.

Despite these controversies, the MVD remains a cornerstone of the Russian state’s **internal security apparatus**, and its role has grown more prominent with the increasing power of the **Russian presidency**. Under **Putin’s rule**, the MVD, particularly through its **Rosgvardia division**, has been tasked with ensuring **political stability** and the **preservation of state authority**, even in the face of significant internal unrest and external geopolitical challenges.

The **Ministry of Internal Affairs** has a highly centralized command structure, with regional units operating in each of Russia's **federal subjects**. These regional police forces work in coordination with **federal agencies** to tackle local criminal issues while maintaining the uniform application of **federal laws**. The MVD’s ability to **influence regional politics**, its oversight of various intelligence networks, and its control of the Russian police force makes it one of the most important and powerful institutions within the Russian Federation. The ministry continues to be crucial in shaping Russia’s approach to **internal security**, **crime prevention**, and **public policy enforcement**.

In sum, the **MVD of Russia** is a multifaceted agency with broad powers over law enforcement, migration, and public safety. Its historical legacy as an instrument of state control and its present role in managing Russia's complex **security environment** make it a critical part of Russia’s governance and political machinery. While it is a force for maintaining order, it remains a controversial institution, with its actions often the subject of **domestic and international scrutiny**.
## References