FSB cannot stop the Armed Forces promotion in Kursk region - isw

"The FSB special forces usually conducted counter -terrorist operations against small terrorist groups and probably does not have sufficient preparation and equipment necessary to respond to Ukrainian units that carry out combined armed attacks," the report reads.

Analysts have explained that the FSB is trying to coordinate combat missions with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the Russian military, despite the fact that it controls the anti -terrorist operation in the Kursk region. The ISW reminded that the FSB unnamed Officer reported "Novaya Gazeta in Europa" that the Alpha and Panch groups were poorly adapted for the maintenance of all -military battles with the use of heavy equipment against regular armed forces.

In addition, another source close to Russian special services said "Novaya Gazeta in Europe" that the Center for Special Operations of the FSB does not have a "common communication" with Russian military units and that there is still no joint staff for coordination of combat missions between the FSB and Russian military.

Analysts emphasized that Vladimir Putin first instructed the FSB to conduct a counter -terrorist operation in Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk regions, but then began to entrust the same tasks to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, FSB and Rosgvardia. Thus, according to analysts, the Kremlin and the Russian military command tried to create a coherent and effective structure of command and management in the Kursk region.

"It remains unclear what responsibilities are within the competence of the FSB counter -terrorist operation or the Coordination Council of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation," the report reads. The ISW emphasized that duplication of tasks and weak structures will most likely continue to create friction between the FSB and MO of Russia.