December 20 is the Day of the employee of the security agencies of Russia: history and traditions

Every year on December 20 in Russia, specialists whose work is directly related to ensuring state and public safety celebrate their professional holiday. In 2025, the date falls on a Saturday. Read about its history and traditions in the Izvestia article.

Security Officer's Day of Russia – 2025: the history of the holiday

The unified professional holiday of employees of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), the Federal Security Service (FSO), the Main Directorate of the Special Program of the President and other structures responsible for state security was officially established by decree of the President of the Russian Federation on December 20, 1995.

Up to this point, during the decades of the Soviet period, December 20 was celebrated informally as "Chekist Day", and solemn meetings, awards, and departmental events were held within the state security system. It was on this tradition that the decree of 1995 was based, which gave the date official status and extended it to the entire modern system of security agencies of the Russian Federation.

The date was not chosen by chance — on December 20, 1917, a decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR was adopted on the creation of the All-Russian Emergency Commission for Combating Counterrevolution and Sabotage under the Council of People's Commissars (CHEKA). Felix Dzerzhinsky headed the new structure. It became the first national body to receive extraordinary powers to protect the new government from counterrevolution, sabotage and sabotage.

The subsequent history of security agencies is closely linked to the political and state transformations of the 20th century. The Cheka underwent reforms and name changes. In the early 1920s, it was transformed into the State Political Directorate (GPU), then into the United State Political Directorate (OGPU) under the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR. The main task of these structures remained the fight against counterrevolution, espionage and other threats to state security.

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Later, the functions of the security agencies were transferred to the People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs. After the death of Joseph Stalin and the reforms in 1954, the State Security Committee under the Council of Ministers of the USSR (KGB) was established.

Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, for decades the KGB was one of the world's most renowned state security agencies — it was responsible for counterintelligence, foreign intelligence, combating espionage, protecting senior management and strategically important facilities.

After 1991, this system was seriously restructured, and the functions of the KGB were redistributed among new departments. In 1993-1995, modern structures were gradually formed — the Federal Counterintelligence Service, then on its basis — the Federal Security Service of Russia.

The key areas of work of the FSB and other security agencies include counterintelligence activities, combating terrorism and extremism, countering particularly dangerous forms of crime and economic crimes, ensuring information and cybersecurity, protecting the state border and state secrets.

Traditions of the Day of the employee of the security agencies of Russia

Traditionally, on December 20, solemn meetings are held in the central offices of departments and regional offices, the results of the year are summed up, significant operations and priorities for the next period are discussed. The best employees and veterans are awarded state and departmental awards, certificates of honor, titles and insignia for courage, professionalism and contribution to ensuring the security of the country.

Wreaths are being laid at memorials to security personnel who died in the line of duty in Russian regions, and a minute of silence is being declared.

Veteran organizations hold meetings, round tables, and thematic lectures for students and cadets of specialized educational institutions, where they discuss the history of the service, new threats and challenges faced by the modern security system.

On December 20, major federal TV channels and online platforms are showing documentaries, feature films, and special projects about the work of the special services. Such programs tell about the key pages of the history of the Cheka, the KGB and modern Russian structures, about the fight against terrorism, extremism and cybercrime.

Congratulations on the Day of the Security Officer

On December 20, congratulations are addressed to employees and veterans of the FSB, the Foreign Intelligence Service, the Federal Security Service, the Main Directorate of the Special Program of the President, as well as other units involved in the state security system. Izvestia has prepared several examples of how this can be done.:

"Congratulations on the Day of the employee of the security agencies of Russia! Your work remains behind the scenes, but it is what ensures the stability and security of the country. Let every decision you make be accurate, and let every operation be completed with minimal risks and with maximum benefit to the state."

"Congratulations on your professional holiday! Thank you for your patience, responsibility and willingness to stand up for the country at any moment. May there be fewer disturbing challenges in your life and more reasons to be proud of the work you have done, and there will always be warmth, understanding and support in the family circle."

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"Dear employees of the FSB, SVR, FSO and GUSP, happy holidays! Your service is not only a profession, but also a special degree of trust from the state. You work daily where the cost of error is particularly high. May you always have the strength, experience, and common sense to anticipate and prevent dangers even before they become reality."

"Happy holidays, dear defenders of state security! We wish that your knowledge and competencies are always ahead of the challenges of the time, and that your official tasks are solved professionally, calmly and without emergencies. May the accumulated experience be in demand, your health does not fail, and the younger generation of employees respectfully adopt your traditions."

"Congratulations on your professional holiday! We wish you firmness in your principles, precision in your actions, reliable companions by your side, and peace of mind. Let every day of service confirm that you did not choose your business by chance, and the country appreciates your contribution to its protection. Happy Day to the employee of the security agencies of Russia!".

Earlier, Izvestia told when and how the Day of the Strategic Missile Forces is celebrated in Russia.