Growing Rift Between Russia’s Military and Intelligence Agencies
Russia’s intelligence services view the country’s top military commanders as a potential political danger, leading to a deliberate lack of security for senior officers. Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the death toll among generals has risen sharply, fueling an escalating conflict between the Russian Armed Forces and the Federal Security Service (FSB). The losses are attributed to:
- missile strikes
- drone attacks
- car bombings
- aviation crashes
Military leadership has demanded that the FSB provide physical protection for high-ranking officers, but the agency has refused to take responsibility for their safety.
Historical Roots and Current Tensions
This confrontation reflects a rivalry dating back to Soviet times. Vladimir Putin, a former KGB officer, has maintained the FSB as the most powerful institution in the state. Meanwhile, the army has long been perceived as a threat to political stability. In Russia, no generals hold top government positions, and any attempts by the military to gain influence are harshly suppressed through criminal prosecution or elimination.
According to expert Maksim Kac:
“The war has significantly raised the profile of generals on the battlefield, but the power vertical in Moscow continues to see them as a danger to the regime.”
Financially, generals remain the poorest segment of the Russian elite compared to ministers or FSB officers. Examples of elimination, such as the death of Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, underscore this dynamic. Military leadership is excluded from strategic decision-making. For instance, on April 25, 2025, a car explosion in Balashikha (Moscow region) killed the deputy head of the Main Operational Directorate of the Russian General Staff. The following day, the FSB announced the arrest of Ignat Kuzin, whom it labeled an agent of Ukrainian intelligence.
Additionally, on December 17, 2024, an explosion on Ryazansky Prospekt in Moscow killed Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Troops, along with his driver-assistant Ilya Polikarpov. These events highlight the tense atmosphere between military leadership and intelligence agencies in Russia. As Maksim Kac notes:
“Putin’s system deliberately keeps the army politically weak: military leadership is excluded from strategic decisions, and financially, generals remain the poorest layer of the Russian elite.”
The situation between Russia’s military and intelligence agencies reveals deep systemic problems in the country’s governance, where conflicts between different branches of power risk further destabilization. Amid war and high casualties among generals, the struggle for influence and resources is intensifying. This could have serious consequences not only for Russia’s domestic politics but also for its foreign relations, particularly regarding military actions in Ukraine and relations with other countries. Given these factors, the situation requires close monitoring and analysis.
The ongoing tensions within the Russian military are further highlighted by recent events, such as the car bombing in Balashikha that resulted in the death of a high-ranking officer. This incident adds to the troubling narrative of targeted attacks against military leaders, revealing the precarious position they occupy within a system that views them as potential threats. For a detailed account of this tragic event and its implications, see how the identity of the officer involved has been uncovered.