A National Guard service will be established to replace a number of Interior Ministry forces, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Tuesday, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.
The National Guard will take over the functions of Russia's special police forces — OMON (riot police) and SOBR (rapid response units).
The main objective of the National Guard will be to combat terrorism and organized crime, Putin said.
The president made the announcement at a meeting with the heads of the Interior Ministry, the Federal Service for Drug Control (FSKN) and the commander of the country's Internal Troops.
At the meeting it was also announced that FSKN and the Federal Migration Service (FMS) will be incorporated into the Interior Ministry structure.
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