Dmitry Fonarev spent the sunset years of the Soviet Union guarding the lives of world leaders. He still cherishes the cuff links Ronald Reagan's security service gave him in 1987, during the Reagan-Gorbachev disarmament summit in Washington.
While no longer dodging bullets for heads of state, Fonarev did not quit the bodyguard profession after leaving government service in 1989. He transferred the skills he received at the KGB's ninth unit -- an elite force, formerly tasked with protecting government officials and visiting foreign dignitaries -- to the private sector.
"Every person who makes a fair amount of money has something to lose [and] needs to feel comfortable," said Fonarev, who chairs the National Bodyguard Association of Russia.
Peace of mind in the form of a personal bodyguard can be procured for as little as $1,000 a month -- a bodyguard's average salary in Moscow. But with more than 3,000 Moscow-based security companies -- whose offerings range from private guards to self-defense weapons -- the best option to choose is not always clear.
People who hire bodyguards are not necessarily facing imminent danger, but are looking "for a loyal, dependable person who is always near," said Andrei Mokhov, vice director of the Moscow-based security company Orbita-Kosmos (Orbita-kosmos.com).
Local security firms often employ former military personnel with varying degrees of expertise.
Most of Orbita-Kosmos' bodyguards come from Russia's airborne troops, said Mokhov, who is also an ex-military man. The company provides security for private persons at an average rate of $1,000 per month, but prices vary, depending on the difficulty of each assignment and the amount of time a guard must remain on the job.
Bayard (Bayardcorp.ru), another security company, offers private bodyguard services for 400 to 1,000 rubles ($14 to $37) per hour, provided that a bodyguard is needed for an assignment of less than eight hours.
"It is more common for people to request a door-to-door service [home to office and back], as opposed to around-the-clock security," NBAR's Fonarev said.
While lacking the glamour of having a personal bodyguard, a security system is a more common tool for ensuring the safety of a person's family and home.
"It takes two days to three months to install a security system," said Alexander Knizhnik, general director of Akvilon-A (Akvilona.ru), a Moscow-based security technology company. "Everything depends on the system's complexity and the degree of customization that we need to carry out."
Alarm systems manufactured by Electronics Line ($11 to $66 per unit) and Sanyo's video surveillance systems ($900 to $2,000 per unit) are Akvilon-A's most popular products, according to Knizhnik.
Electronics Line units send a signal to the owner's cellphone if a security breach occurs. The system can distinguish among eight different types of emergencies, including unauthorized entry or fire, but a home normally needs more than one unit to be secure.
Akvilon-A's installation rates range from 30 percent to 150 percent of a system's total cost. Technical support has an annual cost of 8 percent of the system's total cost, except for the first year, when it is provided free of charge.
For the technically disinclined, the Eagle Bear security company offers emergency support through a 24-hour hotline called Lifeline (Greyshadowbodyguard.org/24hour.html), which costs $1,000 for a family membership. It provides access to English-speaking operators, who are ready to help with unexpected situations ranging from intruders to medical emergencies.
Traditional self-defense gear is also readily available in Moscow, with stun guns and mace, or tear gas, being especially in demand because a government license is not required to purchase them.
"Stun guns not only provide good protection from intruders, but from stray dogs as well," said Vladimir Komkov, head of Secur.su, an online shop that sells stun guns. "Both men and women buy them, but the women seem to prefer the ones with a built-in flashlight."
Stun guns cost 1,900 rubles to 5,500 rubles ($65 to $190) at Secur.su, with free delivery available in Moscow. Mace costs even less -- 100 rubles to 200 rubles ($3 to $6) per unit -- and is sold at Zashchita, an ammunition shop near Kuznetsky Most metro, and similar stores.
While getting armed to the teeth and spending thousands of dollars on bodyguards and alarm systems is certainly one way to go, many prefer to meet with security experts to choose what's right for them.
"Each person has different needs," said Frank Whip, vice chairman of the Grey Shadow Club, launched by NBAR to help Russia-bound expats and local businesspeople address safety concerns.
"Club members meet security professionals and receive free advice," Whip said. The annual membership fee is $100.
While no longer dodging bullets for heads of state, Fonarev did not quit the bodyguard profession after leaving government service in 1989. He transferred the skills he received at the KGB's ninth unit -- an elite force, formerly tasked with protecting government officials and visiting foreign dignitaries -- to the private sector.
"Every person who makes a fair amount of money has something to lose [and] needs to feel comfortable," said Fonarev, who chairs the National Bodyguard Association of Russia.
Peace of mind in the form of a personal bodyguard can be procured for as little as $1,000 a month -- a bodyguard's average salary in Moscow. But with more than 3,000 Moscow-based security companies -- whose offerings range from private guards to self-defense weapons -- the best option to choose is not always clear.
People who hire bodyguards are not necessarily facing imminent danger, but are looking "for a loyal, dependable person who is always near," said Andrei Mokhov, vice director of the Moscow-based security company Orbita-Kosmos (Orbita-kosmos.com).
Local security firms often employ former military personnel with varying degrees of expertise.
Most of Orbita-Kosmos' bodyguards come from Russia's airborne troops, said Mokhov, who is also an ex-military man. The company provides security for private persons at an average rate of $1,000 per month, but prices vary, depending on the difficulty of each assignment and the amount of time a guard must remain on the job.
Bayard (Bayardcorp.ru), another security company, offers private bodyguard services for 400 to 1,000 rubles ($14 to $37) per hour, provided that a bodyguard is needed for an assignment of less than eight hours.
"It is more common for people to request a door-to-door service [home to office and back], as opposed to around-the-clock security," NBAR's Fonarev said.
While lacking the glamour of having a personal bodyguard, a security system is a more common tool for ensuring the safety of a person's family and home.
"It takes two days to three months to install a security system," said Alexander Knizhnik, general director of Akvilon-A (Akvilona.ru), a Moscow-based security technology company. "Everything depends on the system's complexity and the degree of customization that we need to carry out."
Alarm systems manufactured by Electronics Line ($11 to $66 per unit) and Sanyo's video surveillance systems ($900 to $2,000 per unit) are Akvilon-A's most popular products, according to Knizhnik.
Electronics Line units send a signal to the owner's cellphone if a security breach occurs. The system can distinguish among eight different types of emergencies, including unauthorized entry or fire, but a home normally needs more than one unit to be secure.
Akvilon-A's installation rates range from 30 percent to 150 percent of a system's total cost. Technical support has an annual cost of 8 percent of the system's total cost, except for the first year, when it is provided free of charge.
For the technically disinclined, the Eagle Bear security company offers emergency support through a 24-hour hotline called Lifeline (Greyshadowbodyguard.org/24hour.html), which costs $1,000 for a family membership. It provides access to English-speaking operators, who are ready to help with unexpected situations ranging from intruders to medical emergencies.
Traditional self-defense gear is also readily available in Moscow, with stun guns and mace, or tear gas, being especially in demand because a government license is not required to purchase them.
"Stun guns not only provide good protection from intruders, but from stray dogs as well," said Vladimir Komkov, head of Secur.su, an online shop that sells stun guns. "Both men and women buy them, but the women seem to prefer the ones with a built-in flashlight."
Stun guns cost 1,900 rubles to 5,500 rubles ($65 to $190) at Secur.su, with free delivery available in Moscow. Mace costs even less -- 100 rubles to 200 rubles ($3 to $6) per unit -- and is sold at Zashchita, an ammunition shop near Kuznetsky Most metro, and similar stores.
While getting armed to the teeth and spending thousands of dollars on bodyguards and alarm systems is certainly one way to go, many prefer to meet with security experts to choose what's right for them.
"Each person has different needs," said Frank Whip, vice chairman of the Grey Shadow Club, launched by NBAR to help Russia-bound expats and local businesspeople address safety concerns.
"Club members meet security professionals and receive free advice," Whip said. The annual membership fee is $100.