On 5 April 2016, President Vladimir Putin announced a National Guard would be established. It would take over the functions of the current Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Russian special police units (OMON) as well as the rapid response units (SOBR), that compose the special police forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The goal of the new body would be ''the protection of public order''. According to Putin it would have to tackle terrorism and organized crime, which was repeated by Sputniknews and Russia Today, two pro-Russia outlets. The new army would be headed by Gen. Viktor Zolotov, a close ally of Putin since the 1990s and the former head of the security service of Putin.

Other media, different experts as well as opposition members in Russia have reported the move has to do more with internal security, especially as Parliamentary elections are coming up later this year in September. Civil unrest might be expected with regards to the latter. The National Guard would therefore probably function more public security forces as a counterweight to other security forces such as the Federal Security Service (FSB). It could grow to an organization of 350.000-400.000 people and would have tanks, heavy artillery and helicopters. Soldiers would be allowed to shoot without warning and enter private premises in case of a threat.

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