Historical Dictionary of Russian and Soviet Intelligence

Appendix E

Russian Security Services, 1991–

313

Since the August putsch of 1991, the leadership of Russia has sought to

realign the internal components of the KGB into different organizations.

The rapid changes of names in the years after the August putsch suggest

efforts by President Boris Yeltsin to put his own stamp on the service.

The major components of the security service are the internal counter-

intelligence components of the KGB; the most important are the Second

and Third Chief Directorates, the Fourth and Sixth Directorates, and the

Surveillance Directorate.

The security service has gone through a number of name changes.

1954–1991 KGB (Committee of State Security)

1991–1992 AFB (Federal Security Agency)

1992 MB (Ministry of Security)

1992–1995 FSK (Federal Counterintelligence Service)

1995– FSB (Federal Security Service)

06-313 z05 App E.qxd 7/27/06 8:02 AM Page 313