Economics
Vladimir Putin's Bodyguards Also Do Economic Stimulus
- Kremlin security agency keeps tabs on discontent in heartland
- Putin said confident growing poverty won't become threat
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As Russians face one of the leanest holiday seasons in years, Vladimir Putin’s personal security agency is combing the country for hard-hit places to dole out a little Kremlin generosity.
Known for burly agents who protect the president, Russia’s secretive Federal Guards Service is also tasked with keeping tabs on public discontent in some of the country’s most economically depressed regions. Where its polls show unhappiness, a special government task force swoops in to dispense extra subsidies and help fired workers get new jobs.