In 2003 , the agency 's responsibilities were considerably widened . The Border Guard Service of Russia , with its staff of 210,000 , was integrated to the FSB via a decree was signed on 11 March 2003 . The merger was completed by 1 July 2003 . In addition , The Federal Agency of Government Communication and Information ( FAPSI ) was abolished , and the FSB was granted a major part of its functions , while other parts went to the Ministry of Defense . Among the reasons for this strengthening of the FSB were the enhanced need for security after increased terror attacks against Russian civilians starting with the Moscow theater hostage crisis ; the need to end the permanent infighting between the FSB , FAPSI and the Border Guards due to their overlapping functions ; and the need for more efficient response to migration , drug trafficking and illegal arms trading . It has also been pointed out that the FSB was the only power base of the new president , and the restructuring therefore strengthened Putin 's position ( see Political groups under Vladimir Putin 's presidency )
Moscow theater hostage crisis
Moscow theater hostage crisis
Federal Security Service