It is difficult to overestimate the role of security services in the life of the state. Operational, intelligence and investigative work ensure the reliability of state structures. This publication offers information that may be of interest to both specialists and those who would like to know the history of the Russian special services. In recent years, interest in the history of the Russian special services has been steadily growing. A vivid evidence of this is the ever-increasing number of books and articles published in our country on this topic.