Russia's FSB Lowers Physical Fitness Standards for Security Service Applicants

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has introduced a draft order to reduce physical fitness requirements for candidates seeking contract service positions in security agencies and applicants to state-affiliated universities. The proposed changes, which would replace the existing 2016 FSB order, restructure age groupings and significantly lower minimum performance thresholds, particularly for older applicants.

Under the new system, current male age categories will be reorganized. The existing groups for those under 20 and aged 20-24 will merge into a single "under 25" category. The category for those over 30 will be subdivided into multiple groups, with the highest being "50 years and older." For women, age categories will expand from the current single "25 and older" group to multiple tiers, with the oldest category becoming "45 and older." Younger age groups will see minimal changes to physical requirements, while older cohorts will experience substantial reductions.

The scoring reductions are substantial for senior applicants. Men under 25 must achieve a minimum of 120 points, while those aged 25-29 need 110 points, 30-34 need 100 points, and 35-39 need 90 points. For the oldest male cohorts, men aged 40-44 require 80 points (a 42.9% reduction from current standards), those aged 45-49 need 70 points (a 50% reduction), and men 50 and older need only 60 points (a 57.1% reduction). Women's categories follow similar patterns, with reductions ranging from 16-25% for younger groups to 33-50% for older groups.

Physical fitness assessments for the main category of candidates will include one exercise each for strength, speed, and endurance. Male applicants may choose from pull-ups or bench presses for strength; 100-meter sprints or shuttle runs for speed; and 1-kilometer or 3-kilometer runs or 5-kilometer ski races for endurance. Female applicants face comparable options, including forward bends, push-ups or combined strength exercises for strength; 60-meter or 100-meter sprints or shuttle runs for speed; and 1-kilometer runs or 3-kilometer ski races for endurance.