FSB Alpha special forces leader fired as subordinates face bank robbery charges

Valery Kanakin has been fired from his post as the leader of the FSB’s Alpha special forces division, the leader of an organization for the division’s veterans told Interfax. That source, Sergey Goncharov, added that Kanakin would soon be taking his place at the helm of the veterans’ group. The FSB itself has not yet commented on the reported firing.

Kanakin’s subordinates are currently under investigation in a bank robbery case that involves several FSB agents from multiple divisions. Goncharov said he did not believe Kanakin’s firing was related to the case but did not name any other possible cause. Kanakin was involved in multiple high-profile hostage cases during his career and carries the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.