Border Guard Service of Russia

The Border Service of Russia (), also called the Border Force of Russia (Пограничные войска России, Pogranichnyie Voiska Rossii) is a branch of Federal Security Service of Russia tasked with patrol of the Russian border. In English, the terms "Border Guards" and "Border Troops" are frequently used to designate this service. The Border service was a centralized force including the maritime border guard units (i.e., a coast guard).

History

Imperial Russia

Border Guards were created in the Russian Empire in the 18th century, however, the origin of the Russian border service can be traced to Prince Mikhail Vorotynsky and his Great Abatis Border in the 16th century.In 1782 Catherine II of Russia created Border Customs Guards originally manned by Russian Cossacks as well as low-ranking cavalry troops. General Mikhail Barklay de Tolly organized in 1810 numerous border posts consisted of 11 regiments of Don and Bug Cossacks along all Western Russian border. Within two years Russian Border Guards were first to fight the Napoleon's invasion of Russia. In 1832 Cossacks and cavalry were replaced by armed customs officials subordinate to the ministry of finance in peacetime (in wartime the border guards were automatically transferred to the army). In the same year the coast guard was created, originally to observe Black sea and Azov sea coasts.In 1893 Count Sergei Witte Russian minister of finance in the Alexander III's government reformed...
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