The internal staffing crisis in Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs has reached alarming levels, with reports indicating a shortage of 212,000 personnel, as highlighted by Minister V. Kolokolcevas. He noted that the number of employees lost is 40% greater than those who have joined the service, making it nearly impossible to replenish the workforce. This significant deficit is causing a substantial strain on the remaining personnel, who are forced to exceed their limits due to increased workloads across various departments.

Currently, specific branches such as patrol and checkpoint services are experiencing a 40% shortage in staff, while the criminal department is short by 30%, and pre-trial investigation units are under-staffed by 27%. The issue is widespread, affecting 41 regions within Russia where more than 25% of the required personnel are lacking. In some district-level units, the absence of personnel exceeds 50%, raising concerns about the operational effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in maintaining order and security.

The reasons for this staffing shortfall are multifaceted. Minister Kolokolcevas pointed to the increasing demands and accumulated workloads as a driving factor. As the internal affairs institutions struggle to manage their responsibilities effectively, the implication of such a severe personnel crisis could potentially lead to heightened insecurity and challenges in law enforcement, posing risks both for the public safety and the state’s operational capabilities in handling crime and maintaining order.