“For the first time tanks and anti -tank guns, self -propelled artillery and multiple shot missile systems were introduced into service,” says the words of the TASS state information agency.
The reforms began after the rebellion of the Wagner Group in June 2023. During the unsuccessful uprising, which was caused as a result of disputes about the invasion of Ukraine, the Wagner fighters in the tanks reached the suburbs of Moscow.
In January 2024, Rosgwardia had about 370 thousand. employees and Zołotow promised a further increase in the number of staff in order to maintain control in Russia, as well as in occupied territories of Ukraine. Rosgwardia was created in 2016 as an internal security force directly subject to Putin.
Zołotow, former bodyguard Putin and Boris Jelcin, said that he had drawn conclusions from the unsuccessful attempt at the coup in 1991, arguing that if the Kremlin then took decisive action, the coup could be suppressed in 20 minutes.
Rosgwardia played a small visible role during Wagner's rebellion. Zołotow described Wagner's rebellion as “inspired by the West”, claiming that Prigożyn was active either with the participation of Western intelligence services, or was guided by his own ambition to be promoted.
