Alexander Bortnikov
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Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) · Russia
On the regime page: Russian Federation under Vladimir Putin
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“Last night, two Ukrainian sabotage groups approached the border with Russia in the Lugansk region and Mariupol. As a result of the battle fought by our border troops, supported by the Defence Ministry, these two sabotage groups were destroyed. One military of the Ukrainian troops was captured. Further steps are being taken.”
Original (Russian)
Сегодня в ночь две диверсионные группы военных Украины вышли на границу с Российской Федерацией в Луганской области и с территории Мариуполя. В результате состоявшегося боя наших пограничников при поддержке Министерства обороны России эти две диверсионные группы были уничтожены. Один из военнослужащих Украины захвачен в плен. Осуществляется необходимая дальнейшая работа.
English: English text published by the Presidential Press and Information Office, en.kremlin.ru (Security Council meeting, 21 February 2022)
Televised meeting of the Security Council on recognising the Donetsk and Luhansk 'people's republics', held on the eve of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine; Putin called on members one by one to state their view. Russia recognised both entities as independent later that day. Bortnikov reported on the border situation. Ukraine's government denied that any of its soldiers had crossed the Russian border (Reuters, as published by Malay Mail, 21 February 2022).
Remarks at the Security Council meeting chaired by President Putin, Moscow, 21 February 2022 (transcript, kremlin.ru) Source
“the Lugansk People’s Republic and the Donetsk People’s Republic, the people in these republics have for several years looked to the Russian Federation and asked it to protect them in the hope of living, working and bringing up children, in the hope of living in peace. I am absolutely certain that we should help them to implement their right and defend them. I am confident that a decision to recognise these republics will facilitate this. We will help realise this hope, definitely.”
Original (Russian)
уже несколько лет Луганская и Донецкая народные республики, граждане этих республик с надеждой смотрят и просят Российскую Федерацию защитить их в надежде жить, работать, воспитывать детей, жить в мире. И я абсолютно убеждён, необходимо реализовать их право и защитить их. Убеждён, что принятие решения о признании этих республик как раз и будет способствовать этому. Мы реализуем эту надежду, однозначно.
English: English text published by the Presidential Press and Information Office, en.kremlin.ru (Security Council meeting, 21 February 2022)
Televised meeting of the Security Council on recognising the Donetsk and Luhansk 'people's republics', held on the eve of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine; Putin called on members one by one to state their view. Russia recognised both entities as independent later that day.
Remarks at the Security Council meeting chaired by President Putin, Moscow, 21 February 2022 (transcript, kremlin.ru) Source
“A real terror and subversive war has been declared on us, with the enemy not only trying to carry out precision strikes but also targeting civilians with missiles and drones”
English: English as published by TASS (English service), 10 March 2026. Original-language text not found.
Bortnikov, who chairs the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, described Ukrainian intelligence and its foreign backers as conducting a new, higher level of terrorist threat. Ukraine denies directing attacks on civilians.
Interview of FSB director Alexander Bortnikov with Rossiyskaya Gazeta for the 20th anniversary of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, as quoted by TASS on 10 March 2026 Source
“False promises of early EU accession turned Ukraine into a staging ground for military, subversive and terrorist operations against Russia. In fact, it has become a testing range for new weapons, the training of military AI systems, and new forms and methods of ‘false flag’ warfare.”
English: English as published by TASS (English service), 26 May 2026. Original-language text not found.
Bortnikov spoke to CIS security chiefs about Ukraine, Western influence in CIS countries and biological weapons. EU governments and Ukraine reject the account of Ukraine as a staging ground for operations against Russia.
Remarks by FSB director Alexander Bortnikov to the CIS Council of Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services, Irkutsk, as compiled and quoted by TASS on 26 May 2026 Source