Russia's security services raise eyebrows with 2025 calendar

The unofficial calendar aimed at raising funds for FSB veterans in the service has various illustrations that depict the force’s vision for the year.

It is sold by an FSB veterans' support charity on Ozon, one of Russia's largest online marketplaces.

The front cover features a jacked image of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Both presidents are portrayed with biceps wearing tight-fitting clothing alongside a text that says “FSB Special Operations Centre of Russia. Fund for Supporting Veterans of Combat Operations of Department S.”

One artwork labelled January depicts a Russian soldier with the Russian emblem fighting a caricatured figure representing Ukraine and its Western allies and LGBTQ+.

Another artwork captures a soldier with “FSB of Russia Special Purpose Centre Directorate S” written on the back. The artwork is labelled December and below it is listed some special days;

5.12 – December 5: Day of Establishment of Directorate “S” of the FSB Special Purpose Centre

9.12 – December 9: Heroes of the Fatherland Day

20.12 – December 20: Military Counterintelligence Day and

Day of Security Agency Workers of the Russian Federation.

Various reactions have met the release of the calendar, many expressing ridicule and displeasure.

2024 calendar

This follows a previous one released in 2024 featuring only Putin represented in a similar way.

The 2024 calendar depicted masked and fully special force soldiers, a field artillery piece firing into the distance, Russian veterans from the past and a Russian flag with the words, “It’s not important who is against you, it’s important who is with you’, among others.

This equally stirred up emotions with many describing the artwork as indicative of Russia’s plans towards its rivals.

Last year’s calendar retailed for 5,228 rubles ($57.92) on Ozon, the Moscow Times reported.

Who is the FSB and what is the funding for?

The FSB which is supervised by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin is responsible for the implementation of government policy as far as issues of national security are concerned.

This means they are responsible for tackling counterterrorism, defence and protection of the state borders, protection of marine territories, natural resources, and counterintelligence.

The FSB releases the annual calendar as part of efforts to raise resources to support the Defenders of Fatherland State Fund. Putin, in 2023, signed the Executive Order On Establishing Defenders of the Fatherland State Fund to Support Participants in the Special Military Operation.

The fund seeks to support participants in the Special Military Operation to ensure they live decent lives. Monies from the fund are used to support veterans of combat operations who were involved in the special military operation and hostilities in Donbass in 2014.

It is also used to assist families of service persons who were killed in the line of duty or who died after serving the force.