MOSCOW, December 20 (AVN) - Five Russian law-enforcement bodies are celebrating their professional holiday on Monday.
The Security Officer Day is celebrated by those employed by the Federal Security Service (FSB), the Foreign Intelligence Service, the Federal Border Guard Service, the RF President's Communication and Information Agency, and the RF President's Chief Department for Special Programmes. It was named so by President Boris Yeltsin's order in December 1995.
Before that, the holiday was known as the Secret Service Agent Day and had been celebrated by agents of the State Security Committee (KGB) since 1917.
"Real secret service agents have always been distinguished by high professional skills, wide expertise and earnest conviction in high importance of their service for the well-being of the Fatherland," President Boris Yeltsin said in his congratulating address on Monday.
His words on importance of secret services were echoed by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. "The society and the state have paid a high price for an illusion that we do not have foreign enemies, which was created several years ago," Putin said.