There are three general problems with counting or estimating the size of the security services:
- The inherent lack of transparency. Although some forces have mandated strengths, such as the MVD or Armed Forces, others are much less transparent, like the FSB.
- The inclusion of personnel who can’t really be considered ‘force’ structures. The Boarder Guards, for example, account for about half of the FSB’s cadres. The Fire Service are a considerable part of MChS.
- The number of vacancies. The MVD, for example, has a mandated strength, but hundreds of thousands of vacancies. The Armed Forces are considerably stronger on paper than in reality.
Then you can start adding more analytical obstacles, linked to the question of why the force strength matters. Cadres may vary in experience, training, or suitability for certain tasks. They may be more or less challenging to bring to bear on an immediate problem. The Border Guards, for example, are numerous but by definition scattered.