Kolokoltsev reported an increase in vacant positions in the Ministry of Internal Affairs to 172 thousand.

The number of vacant positions in the structure of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation exceeded 172 thousand. This was announced on March 5 by Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev at an expanded meeting of the joint board of the department.

Kolokoltsev noted that the total number of vacancies for the year increased by more than 33 thousand and exceeded 172 thousand positions.

He added that in the Primorsky Territory and the Ivanovo Region, almost a third of the staff (27%) is missing, and in 39 out of 96 territorial bodies, more than 20% of vacancies remain unfilled. The situation at the city level is similar. For example, the Yekaterinburg Department of the Interior Ministry has a 30% staff shortage, Kolokoltsev said.

"It is significant that 40% [of employees] leave the service without being eligible for retirement," the Russian Interior Minister said.

According to him, in many police departments across the country, including metropolitan ones, more than half of the places remain vacant. This significantly complicates the work of key police units, he added.

Earlier in the day, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin called for to increase the work of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in all areas, primarily ensuring the safety of citizens. In addition, he instructed the agency to pay special attention to the fight against drug trafficking, including cross-border. The Head of State also thanked the Interior Ministry staff for their responsible approach to fulfilling their duties. In particular, he noted those who serve in the border and new regions of Russia.