Russias Central Bank Moves to Arm Employees with Firearms Training

Russia’s Central Bank is reportedly preparing to send some of its staff for firearms training, as indicated by public procurement documents. This initiative follows unsuccessful attempts in the past to permit senior officials to carry handguns and submachine guns.

A tender published on Tuesday reveals that the bank is looking to contract shooting lessons with automatic weapons at licensed training facilities located in or around Moscow. The selected contractor will need to provide the necessary facilities, firearms, ammunition, and qualified instructors. Additionally, they must dispose of all contract-related documents following its completion.

The bank has not disclosed which employees will be involved in the training or when it is expected to commence. The tender process appears to have concluded on Friday.

Since last year, Russia’s Central Bank has been working to enhance its security measures. This included a request for permission for deputy governors and senior officials to carry firearms such as Makarov pistols and submachine guns.

A spokesperson for the bank mentioned at that time that the suggested actions were aimed at safeguarding the bank’s personnel and assets, particularly in the context of the occupation of Ukraine.

Ultimately, the government restricted the right to carry firearms to current security staff only.

In February, a Moscow court imposed a fine on the bank after inspectors from the National Guard discovered two handguns that were improperly stored in a bank security facility.

The Central Bank has not yet provided any comments regarding the firearms training program that has been contracted.