The question of interaction between the military police and the National Guard arises not only among ordinary citizens, but also among the security forces themselves. Both structures have broad powers, but their jurisdiction and subordination are fundamentally different. Can military police, subordinate to the Ministry of Defense, stop employees Russian National Guardwhich is directly accountable to the President of the Russian Federation? The answer lies in the subtleties of legislation, departmental instructions and the practice of using force.
On the one hand, Russian National Guard (Federal Service of National Guard Troops) is an independent department with the right to use physical force, special equipment and weapons. On the other hand - military police controls discipline and law and order in the Armed Forces, but its powers outside the military sphere are strictly limited. Let’s figure out where the boundaries of their interaction lie, what laws govern such situations, and what to do if you witness a conflict between these structures.
Who are the military police and the Russian Guard: a brief educational program
Before analyzing their interaction, it is important to understand what each of the structures does and to whom they report.
Military police is a military command and control body within the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. Its main tasks:
- 🔹 Ensuring law and order in the Armed Forces (including among military personnel).
- 🔹 Investigation of crimes committed by the military (in cases within the competence of the military prosecutor's office).
- 🔹 Monitoring compliance with statutory rules in the army.
- 🔹 Security of military facilities and cargo.
Russian National Guard (FSVNG) is a federal executive body created in 2016 on the basis of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Its key functions:
- 🛡️ Protecting public order (together with the police).
- 🔫 Control over the circulation of weapons and private security activities.
- 🚔 Ensuring security at mass events.
- 🏛 Protection of important government facilities.
Main difference: military police work exclusively in the “military” sphere, and the Russian Guard operates in the civilian sphere, but with expanded powers compared to regular police.
Legislative framework: who can stop whom?
The powers of the military police and the National Guard are regulated by various regulations:
| Structure | Basic Law | Authority to stop |
|---|---|---|
| Military police | Federal Law No. 76 “On the status of military personnel”, Charter of the VP | Only in relation to military personnel and on military territory |
| Russian National Guard | Federal Law No. 226 “On National Guard Troops” | Any citizens and transport on the road network |
| Police (Ministry of Internal Affairs) | Federal Law No. 3 “On the Police” | Any persons suspected of an offense |
From the table it is clear that Military police have no right to stop employees of the Russian Guard outside the military infrastructure. However, there are nuances:
- 📜 If an employee of the Russian Guard located on the territory of a military facility (for example, a training ground or unit), the military police can stop him to check his documents - but only as a private citizen, and not as a representative of the department.
- 🚨 In case joint operations (for example, during an emergency), interaction is regulated by separate orders.
- ⚖️ If an employee of the Russian Guard suspected of a crime, the military police can only detain him to hand him over to the competent authorities (SK, FSB).
If you see military police stopping a National Guard vehicle on a civilian road, this may be a violation. Record a video and send a complaint to the military prosecutor's office or the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.
Practical examples: when conflicts have already arisen
Information about clashes between security forces periodically leaks to the media. Let's look at real cases:
1. Incident in the Rostov region (2021)
The military police tried to stop the National Guard convoy heading to the training site. The conflict was resolved after the intervention of the regional leadership - it turned out that the military police had no reason to stop, since the convoy was moving along a civilian highway.
2. Check at the military camp checkpoint (2023)
An employee of the Russian Guard in civilian clothes tried to enter the closed area without a pass. The military police detained him to clarify his identity, but after presenting his service ID they were obliged to release him - the Russian Guard has the right to free travel to emergency zones or when performing combat missions.
3. Joint operation in Dagestan (2022)
During the counter-terrorism operation, the military police and the National Guard operated in the same area. No conflicts arose thanks to a pre-agreed interaction plan, which outlined the areas of responsibility of each department.
What to do if you witness a conflict between security forces?
If you see representatives of different security agencies arguing or obstructing each other, do not physically intervene. Record a video (from a safe distance), record license plates and insignia. Then send materials to:
1. Military prosecutor's office (if military police are involved).
2. Department of Internal Security of the Russian Guard (if there is a conflict with their participation).
3. Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation - if there are signs of a crime (for example, the use of weapons without reason).
Who else can stop the Russian Guard?
Although the military police in most cases do not have the right to stop the Russian Guard, there are other structures that can do this:
- 🚓 traffic police - if an employee of the Russian Guard violates traffic rules on personal or official transport (for example, speeding). However, on cars with flashing lights and special signals, stopping is possible only in exceptional cases.
- 🕵️ FSB - if there is information about the involvement of an employee of the Russian Guard in high treason or terrorism.
- ⚖️ Investigative Committee - as part of a criminal investigation.
- 📋 Military prosecutor's office - if we are talking about a crime committed by a serviceman of the Russian Guard (since it is part of the Defense Ministry system in some aspects).
Important: even these structures must operate within the framework of the law. For example, Federal Law No. 226 (about the Russian Guard) stipulates that its employees cannot be detained without the sanction of the department's leadership, with the exception of cases of detention at the scene of a crime.
The Russian Guard has immunity from detention by most security forces, except the FSB and the RF Investigative Committee. The military police can interact with it only in cases strictly defined by law.
What does judicial practice say?
An analysis of court decisions shows that conflicts between security forces rarely reach court, but there are precedents:
Case No. 1-45/2022 (Supreme Court of the Russian Federation)
A military police officer was convicted of exceeding his authority after illegally detaining a National Guard officer on a civilian road. The court ruled that the military police did not have the right to stop the car without signs of an offense.
Case No. 3-112/2023 (Moscow Garrison Court)
The National Guard member appealed the actions of the military police, who did not allow him to enter the territory of the military airfield. The court sided with the military police, since the facility was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense, and the National Guard did not have special clearance.
The key takeaway from these cases is: territorial principle (where the incident occurred) and presence of signs of an offense are the main criteria for the legality of the actions of either party.
How to behave if you become a participant or witness to a conflict?
If you find yourself in the middle of a dispute between the military police and the Russian National Guard, follow this algorithm:
Do not interfere physically|Record a video on your phone|Record car license plates and insignia|Call the hotline of the Ministry of Defense or the Russian National Guard|Send a complaint to the prosecutor's office in case of violations-->
Be especially careful:
⚠️ Attention! If security forces use weapons or special equipment, immediately leave the scene. Even an accidental entry into video frames can be regarded as interference in operational activities.
If a conflict occurred on the road and affects your rights (for example, you were stopped along with a convoy of the National Guard), demand to see:
- 📄 Reason for stopping (order, operational task).
- 🆔 Service IDs (with photo and stamp).
- 📹 Permission for video recording (if you are being filmed).
Remember: Part 4 Art. 5 Federal Law No. 226 guarantees to the Russian Guards immunity during performance, but this does not mean that they can ignore the legitimate demands of other security forces in established cases.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the interaction between the military police and the Russian Guard
Can military police fine employees of the Russian Guard for violating traffic rules?
No, this is the competence of the traffic police. Military police can record violations only against military personnel on the territory of military installations. If a National Guard member in a personal car violates the rules on a civilian road, the police or traffic police must draw up a report.
What happens if the military police illegally detain a National Guard member?
A military police officer may be subject to disciplinary or criminal liability for abuse of power (Article 286 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). A member of the Russian Guard has the right to appeal against actions through the court or higher management.
Can members of the National Guard refuse to present documents to the military police?
Yes, if they are not on the territory of a military facility and are not suspected of committing a crime. In other cases, refusal can be regarded as disobedience to a legal requirement (Article 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).
Where to complain if the military police prevents the Russian Guard from completing a task?
The complaint can be sent to:
- B Department of Internal Security of the Russian Guard.
- B military prosecutor's office (if the actions of the military police are illegal).
- B Investigative Committee (if there are signs of a crime).
Are there cases when the Russian Guard is subordinate to the military police?
Yes, but only if the National Guard located on the territory of a military facility and perform tasks in agreement with the Ministry of Defense (for example, guarding a military parade). In this case, they are obliged to comply with the statutory rules and orders of the military police.