Northern Caucasus not to benefit from new appointment for “Natsgvardia”’s Zolotov

The appointment of Victor Zolotov the chief of the antiterrorist group proves that the National Guard of Russia (known as “Natsgvardia”) becomes the most influential of the law enforcement agencies. However, no one should expect the improvement of the situation in Northern Caucasus because of the Victor Zolotov's new position. This was stated by experts questioned by the "Caucasian Knot".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 29, the Russian President appointed Victor Zolotov, the director of the Federal Service of the National Guard troops, to lead the antiterrorist group in Northern Caucasus.

Pavel Felgenhauer, an observer of the newspaper "Novaya Gazeta", believes that in the near future, no one should expect changes in the tactics of combating the armed underground in Northern Caucasus.

"I do not think that anything will change radically after the Victor Zolotov's appointment. There is no reason for that. The appointment can be associated with a banal reorganization, but there is an innovation: the head of the National Guard of Russia appointed the leader of the antiterrorist group. Earlier, the antiterrorist group in Northern Caucasus was led by officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA)," Pavel Felgenhauer told the" Caucasian Knot "correspondent.

The Paul Felgenhauer's opinion was also shared by Alexei Malashenko, a member of the scientific council of the Moscow Carnegie Centre.

"The appointment will not bring any changes. No fundamental changes will occur also due to the reduction of tension," Alexei Malashenko told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The expert described Victor Zolotov as a "Putin's man."

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.